MANILA – Members of the Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen made solid debuts in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) over the weekend.
The professional chess club based in Iloilo City leaned on the heroics of their newly-drafted chess players to dismantle the all-female Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 15-6.
Iloilo both ruled the blitz and rapid categories with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Karl Victor Ochoa, NM Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bernas, and NM John Michael Silvederio leading the way for a 6-1 overall score.
The team duplicated its winning numbers with WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, Mark Jossel Mariano, Silvederio, Porras, and Bernas registering a 9-5 triumph.
The Kisela Knights are hoping to sustain their winning run in the first-ever professional chess tournament on Wednesday when they take on Cebu City Machers, who suffered a 13-8 loss to Toledo.
Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, notched their first win by walloping Iriga, 18-3, behind the heroics of IM Joel Pimentel, FM Randy Segarra, Kajoy Acedo, Nelson Mariano, Rolson Rollo, Jason Bandal, Nayk Segismar, Adrian dela Cruz, and Raye Posadas.
San Juan Predators, bannered by GM Oliver Barbosa and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, demolished the Antipolo Cobras, 18.5-2.5, while Laguna Heroes, led by GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and WIM Jean Karen Enriquez, whipped Rizal Towers, 17.5-3.5.
Camarines Oragons also won over Zamboanga Sultans, 12.5-8.5 despite GM Mark Paragua being held to a pair of draws by unheralded IM Chito Garma.
Cagayan, on the other hand, nosed out an 11-10 victory over Pasig with Jake Tumaliuan pulling the rug from under GM Darwin Laylo in their top board showdown.
The first-ever play for pay chess competition in the Philippines is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board, headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra./PN
