Checkmate GAME OF KINgS

Archer bags strapped around shoulders, roaming around classroom corridors flooded with newly-arrived students on a typical school day of Alabel National Science High School. Some might wonder, “What’s inside that bag?”, “Why is he carrying a billiard cue in school?” At first glance, you might get intrigued by what is really inside when in fact it was just chess. Often considered as the game of kings, chess challenges the wiseness of the human mind through calculating the next possible countermoves that may occur. In ANSHS, chess has recently become a favorite past-time among AlSci students. With its complexity that requires thorough concentration, foresighting, and decisionmaking skills, AlSci students sure know how to spend their

Abbygale Abasolo

leisure times not only to gain entertainment but also hone their skills. Within the whole floor of grade 11, students lay down rolled chess mats on a dime when clock strikes time and no teacher was seen coming to conduct the scheduled class. “Chess challenges my logical-technical thinking and planning skills as an individual, especially when under special parameters such as timers or simply the overall complexity of the game as it progresses.” stressed Liann Cabanda of 11 Betelgeuse when asked how playing chess challenges him. Additionally, Cabanda earned two silver medals in chess back in Intramurals 2018-2019. Down the very intimidating halls of the main building of AlSci are the junior prodigies of chess like Dwayne Guco of 10 Emerald who in some way aspires to be comparable to Bobby Fischer and Garry shots. Their taller players were making the most of their scores, but the effort was overshadowed by Malapatan’s lay-ups and three point shots, making the gap widen in the 2nd quarter with Malapatan taking a far lead to wrap the first half, 26-12. Third quarter comes at a speedy pace as the Alabel players start to get shaken up by Malapatan’s momentum, trying to catch up. Malapatan took this opportunity to finally

Kasparov, both household names in the world of battle of brains. “I started playing when I was around 8-9 years old because of my father, he brought us a chess board and taught me how to move each piece and the mechanics of the game,” Guco expressed in an interview.

Undoubtedly, with the brains and positive qualities that AlSci students’ possesses, carrying archer bags whilst wandering through the campus’ halls will someday pay off. It might just be a hobby for some but who knows, right? They might be the Garry Kasparov of AlSci or even represent the whole country in international tournaments. After all, those who persevere and determine to conquer and achieve the dream will enjoy the fruits of their labor when the time comes.

Dribbledouble toil. Alabel Smile (yellow jersey) in dribbles in desperate attempt to save losing team versus Malapatan Waves (grey jersey) at Secondary Men’s Basketball game, SPAA Meet 2023 unleash their cheerinducing shots beyond the arc. After the first timeout of the quarter, Malapatan continued to surge the ball and scored back to back points, washing off Alabel in the shore, 40-24. With Alabel’s weakening offensive scheme and an injured leg on one of their prominent passers, Malapatan ended the final quarter seamlessly, bagging the easy win, 5329.

Aljamier Mabandiz of

Malapatan Waves said that he felt lucky that they won the first game against Smile Alabel. Mabandiz was also asked if he thought they could do continuous wins in next matches, “Basta may teamwork, tuloy-tuloy.”, he said.

Malapatan Waves will move to the next game facing Kiamba Dragons in the same venue later on the day.