FRESH from earning his national master (NM) title after emerging champion in the 2016 Philippine International Open Challenger Division at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel last December, former Ateneo de Davao University chesser John Marvin Miciano is preparing this early for his grand master (GM) title dream.
This was bared by his father Juanito in a recent conversation with VoxPop Davao.
Miciano, a Grade 11 student of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Diliman, took his Christmas vacation to good use through a one-on-one training with Filipino international master (IM) Edgar Reggie Olay in Makilala, North Cotabato.
Olay, who started making a name for himself while studying at San Pedro College in Davao City, is also vacationing from his chess coaching job in Singapore.
"Grab na nya ang opportunity kasi dati narin kasi syang nagti-train na kay Reggie. Magdamagan at buong araw dun si John nagti-train sa kanya dun sa bahay nya sa Makilala. Gusto na kasi talagang mag GM ni John kaya gustong-gusto nyang matuto sa mga IMs at GMs," the elder Miciano said, adding that Olay is practicing with different openings with John.
He said that John just took a short break for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day celebration.
John, however, will continue training with FEU trainer and coach GM Jayson Gonzales when he returns to Manila.
Juanito also said that John has also trained with GM John Paul Gomez at the latter's home in Laguna.
"Dinadayo talaga namin si GM Gomez sa kanila para lang makapag-training si John," the proud father said.
It can be recalled that Miciano topped the Subic chessfest with an unbeaten record of 7.5 points in the nine-round Swiss System format event where he shocked three Fide masters including fellow Dabawenyo Austin Jacob Literatus, Nelson Villanueva and Mae Shania Mae Mendoza.
He also clinched one gold and two silvers in the boys 17-under category of the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships held November 27 to December 2 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
