MANILA – Negros Island Region Kingsmen continued its strong start in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines 1st Conference with a pair of victories on Wednesday night.
The Kingsmen opened the evening with an 18-3 victory over Quezon City Simba’s Tribe followed by a 15-6 triumph over Rizal Batch Towers to remain on top of Southern Division standings with 14-1 record.
The Kingsmen cruised to a 6-1 victory over Simba’s Tribe in the blitz event behind full points by Ellan Asuela (Board 1), Mari Turquiza (Board 2), Kristel Herrera (Board 3), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 4), Rolzon Roullo (Board 6) and Jerich Cajeras (Board 7).
The Negrenses also dominated Quezon City in the rapid event, 10-2, with Asuela, Turquiza, Antonio, Edsel Montoya (Board 5), Roullo and Cajeras delivering two points each.
The Kingsmen also prevailed over the Batch Towers in the blitz game, 5-2, behind full point each by Asuela, Herrera, Antonio and Cajeras and half points from Turquiza and Montoya.
The Negrenses also got Rizal’s numbers in the rapid event, 10-4, behind two points each by Herrera, Antonio, Montoya and Cajeras and split points courtesy of Asuela and Turquiza.
Iloilo Kisela Knights, on the other hand, escaped with a 2-1 Armageddon victory over Rizal Batch Towers to remain at fourth place in Southern Division with a 9-5 win-loss record.
The Kisela Knights prevailed over the Batch Towers in the blitz event 5.5-1.5 but Rizal bounced back with a 9-5 victory over the Ilonggos in rapid game to force a 10.5-10.5 score.
The Kisela Knights pulled off the Armageddon victory courtesy of John Michael Silvederio in Board 2 and Fritz Bryan Porras in Board 3, while Rolly Parondo Jr. faltered in the first board.
In the second game, the Kisela Knights bowed to Cavite Spartans in the blitz event, 2.5-4.5, but bounced back in rapid game, 8-6, for a score of 10.5-10.5. The Armageddon is slated on Saturday night./PN
