By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Iloilo Kisela Knights maintained its unblemished slate after three games in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup as they prevailed in their two matches on Wednesday.
The Kisela Knights recorded its second victory of the season after mauling Mindoro Tamaraws, 18.5-2.5, before following it up with a 16-5 domination over Iriga City Oragons.
Against Mindoro, Iloilo won the blitz event with wins by Hovhannes Gabuzyan (Board 1), Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 2), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), John Michael Silvederio (Board 6), and Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 7) and draw in Board 3 by Cherry Ann Mejia.
The Kisela also dominated the Tamaraws in rapid chess with triumphs from Gabuzyan (Board 1), Antonio (Board 2), Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Fritz Bryan Porras (Board 5), Silvederio (Board 6), and Dennis Bernas (Board 7).
“Stunning performance of our lady player (Mejia). She managed one win and one draw against the lady import of team Mindoro,” Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona said.
Iloilo went on with its rampage against Iriga in the second game with wins by Gabuzyan (Board 1), Fiona Geeweneth Guirhem (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Porras (Board 6), and Mark Jossel Mariano (Board 7) in blitz.
The Kisela Knights also had a solid game in rapid against Oragons after dominant wins by Gabuzyan (Board 1), Antonio (Board 2), Mejia (Board 3), Silvederio (Board 5) and Porras (Board 6) and a draw by Cesar Mariano in Board 4.
Unlike the Kisela Knights, Negros Kingsmen had a forgetful Wednesday evening after losing both of its matches to drop in the Southern Division standings with one win and two draws.
The Kingsmen first suffered a 2-1 Armageddon defeat against Cordova Dutchess Dagami Warriors after being tied with 10.5 each in the two rounds, before being beaten by Zamboanga Sultans, 11.5-9.5.
“These two defeats were eye opener for the Negros Kingsmen but we have to quickly regroup since our next matches will be this Saturday,” said Kingsmen co-team owner Carlo Fontelo./ASC, WDJ