Nagkampeon ang batang Pinoy na si Bince Rafael Operiano sa 6th Eastern Asia Youth Chess Championship na ginanap noong November 4-12, 2022 sa Bangkok, Thailand.
Nakapag-uwi siya ng isang trophy at apat na medalya.
Nine years old si Bince at naninirahan sa Oas, Albay.
Para makalahok sa nasabing kumpetisyon, kinailangan pang maghanap ng kanyang parents ng sponsors para sa plane tickets at iba pang gastusin dahil salat sa pera ang kanilang pamilya.
Sa Facebook post ni Albay 3rd District Representative Fernando Cabredo noong November 13, ibinahagi nito ang mga pinagdaan ni Bince sa paglahok sa kumpetisyon.
Ayon sa kongresista, “Due to limited funds and while waiting for the plane ticket sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Bince and his father spent three nights at the airport with those benches as their bed.
“The little boy had to travel first to Thailand without his father, Mr. Ben Operiano.”
Naikuwento rin aniya ng nanay ni Bince na sa unang araw ng kumpetisyon ay nakita ng ibang parents na umiiyak ang batang Pinoy dahil wala pa ang ama nito.
“Bince braved the first game with no parent around to cheer him on. He felt pressured and lost to his opponents in the first games.”
Gumanda naman ang laro nito nang dumating na ang ama.
“From then on, Bince won the succeeding rounds and eventually made it to the top.”
Ibinahagi rin ng kongresista na ayon sa ama ni Bince ay pursigido talaga ang anak nito na magkampeon.
“He ranked number 1 for the U-10 or under 10 years old category outdoing 20 other players from different countries.
“Mr. Operiano is proud of his Bince’s achievement and a strong commitment to do his best in the games despite the challenges.
“Bince has made everyone back in their hometown proud. He is set to be conferred a National Master [NM] title when he turns 10.”
Unang natuklasan ang husay ni Bince sa chess noong six years old pa lang siya at nagwagi sa National Age Chess Group Kiddie category na ginanap sa Albay Astrodome bago nagkaroon ng COVID-19 pandemic.