By Adrian Stewart Co

Negros Kingsmen kept its unbeaten record in the first conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) after defeating Iloilo Kisela Knights, 12-9, on Wednesday night.

International Master (IM) Joel Pimentel of Bacolod City stood out for the Kingsmen for winning all of his matches against the Kisela Knights, while FIDE Master (FM) Judge Rosendo Bandal and Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Kajoy Acedo also providing support.

Pimentel, Bandal, Acedo, and Junaico Segismar also connived for the Kingsmen in capturing their seventh win in as many games in the Southern Division after beating Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors, 11.5-9.5.

Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo said the twin victories were huge for the squad, particularly against the Kisela Knight that is being led by Grand Master (GM) Joey Antonio.

“I am so proud of our players, we fought two very hard teams, one of them the unbeaten Iloilo Kisela Knights. I always tell the team to just do your best, we win as a team, we lose as a team. Luckily, we have won all our games so far,” Fontelo said.

Also part of the Kingsmen squad were FM Randy Segarra, FM Nelson Mariano, FM Rolzon Roullo, Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal, Nayk Aguilar Segismar, Adrian Dela Cruz, and Capt. Reynaldo Flores.

The Kingsmen aims to keep its unblemished slate on the fifth day of the competition on Saturday night, January 30, as it faces Zamboanga Sultans at 7:00 p.m. and Surigao Finachetto Checkmates at 9:00 p.m.

After suffering their first defeat, the Kisela Knights were able to bounce back in their second game on Wednesday evening as they walloped the Finachetto Checkmates, 17.5-3.5.

Antonio, NM Giovanni Mejia, lady player Fiona Guirhem, Senior player Cesar Mariano, and homegrowns NM John Michael Silvederio, Fritz Bryan Porras, and Mark Jossel Maria anchored the Kisela Knights in their bounce back win over Surigao./ASC, WDJ