01/02/2024
๐๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ: ๐๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ด๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ด๐ฎ๐บ๐ฒ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐๐
In a mind game, known to be played by two players on a checkered board of contrasting black and white colorsโthe Azote siblingsโ prowess in chess shines through.
Sharing similar sets of genetic combinations attests that sports mastery runs in their blood. Siblings Ahmad Ali Azote and Fatimah Zahra Azote of the Caraga State University chess team put their names on the national radar after headlining CSUโs stint at the Philippine National Games (PNG) in Pasay City last December 2023 following a stellar Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) performance.
The apple indeed never falls far from the tree, because when asked about where they discovered their love for the game and who taught them the sport, Fatimah, the younger Azote, revealed it was their father who indulged them in the beauty of chess. The 22-year-old started playing at the age of nine, while her 24-year-old brother, Ahmad, began at only three years old. Since then, they embraced the thrill of competing alongside each other, with their recent and ground-breaking tournament, their PNG debut last year, carrying the name of the university.
โIt stands out as a memorable experience where I witnessed the fruits of my dedicated chess studies against two International Masters. Despite the challenge posed by the titled players, the tables turned, resulting in a draw. The climax of the match unfolded with myself and the Masters being the last individuals standing, as the surrounding players transformed into our audience,โ Ahmad Azote shared.
Further, both players affirmed that one of the struggles of being a student-athlete is the heavy responsibility that comes along with juggling and balancing academics and training, especially in college. Along with that, these chess whizzes uncovered how boredom and sleepiness, though not as big of a deal to others, affect their game and are tough to deal with.
โWhen it comes to training, my brother is right about how it can get boring and make you feel sleepy. However, I've figured out that staying determined, constant chess puzzle review plus some tasty snacks helps me stay focused,โ Fatimah stated.
This sibling duo made people wonder about the tactics and tricks to maintain mental composure and a winning mindset, especially during high-stake games. The secret is in their ability to remain composed under pressure and have practice sessions with the help of a chess engine to avoid repetitive mistakes and to stay sharp ahead of their tournaments.
Moreover, the future educator of the family, Ahmad, specializes in blindfold chess, where players only rely on hearing their opponentโs moves, using memory and their imagination instead of keeping a keen eye on the board. Apart from competing in different categories, this keeps the siblings discerned from each other, recognizing their distinct struggles and individual skills as athletes. This disparity displaced โsibling rivalryโ that never existed in their story, as their dynamics is rooted in mutual support.
More often than not, younger siblings who compete and play the same sport as their older siblings feel they are living in shadows as they follow in their kinโs footsteps to greatness in the field of sports. But the current Auditor of the University Student Government, Biology student, Fatimah Zahra, emphasised her tale as far above the ordinary, noting that she finds their unique and shared interest special and fulfilling.
โI can say that I havenโt felt living in his shadow; rather, itโs more like being a lit candle next to a torch. My brother represents the torch while I am the lit candle. In other words, we are both beacons of light, it's just that, he has more luminosity,โ the latter remarked.
In addition, for the older Azote, it is a valuable experience to play side by side and to learn from each otherโs mistakes. On top of that, it helps that they look at the game from different perspectives, they exchange insights on how to outplay their opponents, may it be in-game or in real-life battles โ knowing the right move to execute based on what works for the situation. On a lighter note, Ahmad sees the game as a stimulation of mental and cognitive functions without putting risks of undue strain; he added that chess is supposed to contribute to avoiding aneurysms.
โTogether, our family's involvement in chess, guided by our father, has had a significant impact on our lives, both intellectually and personally,โ Fatimah underscored, implying the existence of the widely accepted genetic theory of heredity.
The brother-sister tandem conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to Caraga State University, their coach, their parents, and the LGU-Butuan City for their steadfast assistance that enabled them to compete in the national scene for the province. Above all, to Almighty Allah for His gift of life.
Article by Jerby Claire Factularin
Graphics by Jevan Racaza
03/04/2024
10/02/2024
01/02/2024
19/02/2023
18/02/2023
17/02/2023
16/09/2022