The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Chess Masters' story mirrors the very game of chess–each setback is a move to be countered while open spaces are opportunities to adapt and conquer. 

Every move on the board is a test of patience and versatility. For the Benilde Chess Masters, these principles extended beyond the four corners of the board. In recent years, the team has faced significant setbacks, but they have risen to the challenge, proving that the true spirit of chess is one of moving forward strengthened with composure and resilience.

From humble beginnings

The team used to train in common areas inside the campus, wherever they could set up their chessboards. They had no official spaces to call their own training ground, just the passion to play and a will to win. 

From those modest beginnings, they brought home glory to Taft. 

In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Head Coach Jerich Cajeras, a former Benilde chess athlete who graduated from the Computer Applications program, recalled how his own journey began when he was recruited from Negros Occidental by the late Br. Rolando Dizon FSC. “Nag-represent ako ng Benilde for five years. May mga championships, 2nd place, 3rd place. So gano’n ‘yung naging journey ko as a player.”

He returned to the squad as an assistant coach, then took the helm as the Head Coach during the pandemic. Coach Cajeras shared that the team was almost unable to join due to a lack of players. 

“Halos muntik pa kaming hindi maka-join kasi kukulangin kami ng mga players. Unlike noong bago mag-pandemic, galing kami ng champion and then 2nd place, so buo pa ‘yung team. Kaya lang noong pagbalik na, medyo nagwatak talaga. Nagsi-graduate na ‘yung iba and then wala nang natirang mga players.”

Along with the Center for Sports Development, the chess program slowly rebuilt its roster that brought the arrival of new talent, National Master Jasper Faeldonia, an ID124 student from the BSBA Marketing Management program, boosting the team's competitive advantage in the season.

Opening the new century

In preparation for Season 101, the Chess Masters implemented a consistent training routine “Tuloy-tuloy lang naman ‘yung training namin and pinakamalaking impact talaga ‘yung nag-tune up kami against isa sa mga top teams ng UAAP chess and then doon namin natantsa ‘yung level namin na kaya namin makipag-sabayan,” Coach Cajeras said.

In addition to strategy, the Chess Masters also emphasized the physical and mental demands of the game, as average NCAA matches can last up to five hours. “Yung priority namin talaga is, unang-una, stamina,” Coach Cajeras added.

Spearheading the charge into the new century is team captain Mel George Cadano, an ID123 student who hails from the Interior Design program, who started playing chess when he was six-years-old. For him, Benilde’s chess program, built on excellence, has defined his approach to the sport, “Nakaka-motivate siya as a Benildean ... kasi we’re doing things extraordinarily well.”

Cadano leans on the team’s chemistry to guide them through the season, “Yung bond kasi namin as a team sobrang close kasi kami, so wala masyadong challenge to me as a leader kasi madali naman silang i-guide.”

From overcoming setbacks to making an impressive performance, the Benilde Chess Masters continue to prove that greatness can rise from the humblest of beginnings. As they have navigated through challenges, the team embodies the spirit of a true Benildean, serving as a reminder to strive for excellence in the face of adversity. 

For aspiring student-athletes, Cadano also offered a reminder that losses are part of the process, “Kapag natalo kayo, okay lang ‘yun, kasi part ng process ‘yung natatalo. Kasi in the future, mananalo ka rin. Matututo ka sa mistakes mo, siyempre ‘di mo naman hahayaan na madala ng pagkakamali. So may dapat baguhin sa routines mo at disiplina rin.”

As the NCAA Season 101 continues, the Chess Masters sit across the board with quiet confidence, converting their years of resilience into wins that remind the Benildean community that even in the calm atmosphere of chess, there is a battle worth supporting.