Young mind, big moves: Mary Grace Alfonso, Baguio’s rising chess talent

In the quiet corner of a classroom or at home surrounded by family, 13-year-old Mary Grace Alfonso, a true-blue Baguio girl, spends her afternoons facing a black-and-white battlefield of conquering queens, brave pawns, and proud kings with calculated moves.

Steadily but surely, Mary Grace is carving her name in the annals of local and national chess tournaments, including her recent stint at the Batang Pinoy 2024, where she represented the Summer Capital with grace, talent, determination and grit.In the Alfonso household, chess is not just a game—it runs deep in the family.

Inspired by the passion for chess passed down by her father who also serves as her coach and mentor, Mary Grace began her formal training in Grade 5 but the foundation had long been laid at home as her father patiently guides her moves, while her mother cheers from the sidelines, always ready with a comforting hug after every tournament.

Her typical day involves studying game theory, analyzing matches, and solving puzzles in the morning, followed by practice matches in the afternoon.

On school days, especially Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, she trains with her team while evenings are often spent playing with her father, turning every casual match into a valuable learning lesson and experience.

Despite the pressures of competition and schoolwork, Mary Grace remains grounded.

“Time management is key,” she says, showing a maturity beyond her years as her most cherished experiences are not merely about winning medals but in making friends, learning from every game, and traveling to new places, from Puerto Princesa to Angeles City through chess.

As the youngest in her family and one of Baguio’s rising chess talents, Mary Grace hopes to continue playing in university, with dreams of traveling and competing internationally.

“Pag love mo maglaro, don’t go after the medals or trophies, go after the enjoyment. Play because you love the game…kasi the lesson you’ll learn follows,” she reminds her fellow young athletes.

What sets Mary Grace apart is her humility and wisdom as she understands that performance is not just about skill but also mindset.

Overthinking or obsessing about outcomes, she explains, can cloud your focus.

With humility, focus, and prayer as her ‘secret weapon’, Mary Grace continues to bring pride to Baguio—one calculated move at a time. – Roline Cabantoc, Baguio PIO intern / Gaby Keith