Chapter 19: Final Selection
The Ninth round and also the final round of the Beginners Second Selection. Everyone is nervous specially those who are on the top 40 already because in this last round, the result still can change it. Those who are below in top 40 are also nervous but also excited and determine because they know that they still have a chance.
The final round pairing is now posted. Ace and Mark know that even without looking the pairing, they will be facing each other. Mark was teasing Ace,
"Revenge time leader" while having a devil laugh.
Ace on the other hand, punched Mark's chest and said, "You better get nervous and don't piss on your pants".
In reality, Mark has never won to Ace and he also know that he can't win to him because Ace was the one who taught them on playing chess. But he still needs to show his strength and show how proud he is as his friend by showing what he got.
Even if they know that they will be facing each other, they still needed to check and see who will be on white or black. Also, Marco and Chesster will face each other. Chesster told Marco to just do his best and don't get nervous.
Marco and Chess will also play each other. Marco was nervous because not only Chesster has the momentum but also, he has now low self-confidence due to his two consecutive losses.
Chesster talked to him and said, "Let's do our best and you can now proceed on our table. You don't need to wait for me. I'm going to check something first." And then he smiled and stayed on the pairing area.
Marco doesn't know what Chesster thinking is but he agreed and go to their table. Their other teammates were already on their table. The teachers signaled Mr. Andy to start the final round.
Mr. Andy announced the start of the final round. Marco was still confused why Chesster is still on the pairing area. Mr. Norly asked Chesster why he is still in the pairing area.
Chesster said, "I'm calculating something teacher." Mr. Norly is also confused because he doesn't know what Chesster thinking is but after a minute, Chesster entered and proceeded to his board.
He shakes hands with Marco and started moving a piece then he didn't mind what Marco moves. He keeps looking to the other's boards left and right. Marco in the other hand was still confused but he can't ask what's happening.
After an hour, Billy loss his game and currently have 5.5 points and he was nervous because he knows that his rank will drop and he was worried because he may not enter the top 40.
Followed by, Csarina (6.5 points), Ervin (7 points) who tied their match. Randy had won his match and have 7.5 points. They are not nervous as Billy because they are sure that they are in the top 40.
Ace have a perfect score of 9 points by winning his match with Mark. Mark now have 8 points. Before going out of the venue, they stop a little to check on Chesster and Marco's match. They are relieved because Chesster is on the winning side.
Marco couldn't believe he was losing to Chesster. As he knows, Chesster have told that he was only playing Chess for less than a year. He now looks pale right now that he doesn't want to move anymore due to his situation right now.
Chesster saw Marco's condition. He was still unsure to do his plan but he doesn't have a choice now. He can't wait any longer and he gambled. He offered draw to Marco. Marco was confused. He wanted to accept the offer but he still hesitating and he asked Chesster if he really wanted to draw the game which he knows that he already loss.
Chesster just smiled and offered a draw again. Marco was still hesitant but Chesster just nodded on him. After a second, Marco accepted the offer but he was still unsure what happened. They got out in the playing area.
Ace saw what Chesster did. When the two got on back on their team, Ace confronted Chesster and said,
"Did you ever think what you did?"
"Yes, I did but I don't have a choice so I took the gamble. All of us wants to join the final selection but he is our classmate and a friend." Chesster replied.
Marco was so shy to everyone that he can't even lift his head because of what happened. Ace told everyone,
"We maybe classmates and friends but in a match, we can't use that excuse. Here, it is the survival of the fittest. Don't mix your emotion when playing someone you know or else, you will be the one suffering."
"I know that you cared about me but I thought about this. And even if I won't be able to join the final selection, its ok. There will be another year to join." Chesster said.
"That's not the point." Ace replied angrily when suddenly Mr. Norly butted in to stop them and he gave everyone a piece of advice so that they will stop arguing.
"Okay everyone. What happened happens, don't make a fuss about it anymore. I know all of you wanted to passed the selection but we are all individual here to decide what we want. You guys can do everything you want as long as you are sure and don't regret about it." Mr. Norly said
"I know you guys are tired but let's just wait for the result." He followed.
Everyone just nodded but Ace was still angry on Chesster. Ace favored Chesster than Marco not because he was close to the latter but he knows the Chesster should have won that game.
All the matches are now finished and the management started finalizing the result. Mr. Andy thanked everyone who joined the selection and congratulated everyone. After 30 minutes, the result is now finished.
"Before I post the result. I would like to remind the Intermediate and Advance to get ready. 10 minutes after I post the result, we will start the first round. And for those who are in the top 40 of the Beginner, you can go home and get your clothes and comeback to the venue.
After the announcement and reminders, Mr. Andy now posted the result on a projector. After a couple of minutes, the names pop out one by one from rank 1 below. Some of the kids were happy and there were also some who cried because they didn't reach the top 40.
On Mr. Norly's team. They are all nervous. The result was…
RESULT
1) 9 points – 9 wins 0 lose – Ace
2) 8 points – 8 wins 1 lose – Bryle
3) 8 points – 8 wins 1 lose – Mark
4-6) 8 points – 8 wins 1 lose
7) 7.5 points – 7 wins 1 draw 1 lose
8) 7.5 points – 6 wins 3 draw 0 lose – Randy
9) 7.5 points – 7 wins 1 draw 1 lose
10-14) 7 points – 7 wins 2 lose
15-17)7 points – 6 wins 2 draw 1 lose
18) 7 points – 5 wins 4 draw 0 lose - Ervin
19-25) 6.5points – 6 wins 1 draw 3 lose
26) 6.5points – 5 wins 3 draw 2 lose – Csarina
27) 6.5 points – 4 wins 5 draw
28) 6 points – 6 wins 3 lose
29) 6 points – 5 wins 2 draw 2 lose – Marco
30)6 points – 5 wins 2 draw 2 lose
31-32) 6 points – 4 wins 4 draw 1 lose
Ace and the others who saw their names was now relieved but Billy and Chesster's name was nowhere to find.
33…
34…
35…
36…
37…
38) 5.5 points – 5 wins 1 draw 3 lose – Billy.
Billy was somehow can't believe because despite being on a 3 lose streak, he was still able to stay at the top 40.
39…
40…
Chesster just smiled. His classmates just stood there in shock and Csarina cried. Ace standing on the side who won't even want to look at the projector anymore.
They all look sad looking at Chesster but Mark shouted.
"I can't believe it. Chesster your name is right there. You did it brother!!!" Mark asked Ervin and Randy to carry Chesster. Even Billy and Marco joined and they celebrated like Chesster ranked first.
Ace didn't move to his place. He just stood there when Mr. Norly asked him,
"Why don't you join them and have fun. I know you still can't forgive Chesster but just for this. Go for the sake of your classmates."
Ace nodded and joined the group. Everyone was happy carrying Chesster. Even Mr. Norly wants to join the kids but he just let them have their fun. He eyes teared some droplets because all of his students who joined the selection are still complete and have a chance to join the club.
40) 5.5 points – 5 wins 1 draw 3 lose – Chesster.