By Adrian Stewart Co
Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen had 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 after 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 today when they take on Cebu City Machers, who suffered a 13-8 loss to Toledo.
Negros Kingsmen, meanwhile, notched its 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.
The first-ever play for pay chess competition in the Philippines is sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra./ASC, WDJ