MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen racked up two victories each on Wednesday to stay undefeated in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).
The Kisela Knights kicked off the second day of the competition with a 19-2 domination over Cebu City Machers before following it up with a 16-5 triumph against Toledo City Trojans.
Against Cebu, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem, Fritz Bryan Porras and Mark Mariano scored a point each in blitz while NM Giovanni Mejia and NM John Michael Silvederio halved their scores for a total of five points.
In the rapid event, Antonio, Silvederio, Porras, Karl Viktor Ochoa, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, NM Cesar Mariano, and Dennis Bernas came up with two points each as the Kisela Knight ended up with 14 markers.
Against the Trojans, Antonio, Porras, Guirhem, Silvederio, and Cezar Mariano captured a point each as the Kisela Knights garnered a total of five points in the blitz event.
Ochoa, Antonio, Mejia, Bernas, and Porras came up with two points each while Silvederio added one as the Iloilo squad captured a total of 11 points in the rapid chess event.
The Iloilo Kisela Knights aims to continue their winning run when they tangle with Zamboanga Sultans and Lapu-Lapu Naki Warriors on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, Negros Kingsmen also recorded their second and third victories in the conference at the expense of Mindoro Elgin Tamaraws (13-8) and Palawan’s Queen Gambit (14-7).
Bannering the Negros team in their win were IM Joel Pimentel, FM Randy Segarra, Kajoy Acedo, Nelson Mariano, Rolson Rollo, Jason Bandal, Nayk Segismar, Adrian dela Cruz, and Raye Posadas.
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
