By Adrian Stewart Co
Iloilo Kisela Knights and Negros Kingsmen started their 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land chess campaign on a winning note.
The Kisela Knights, the champions of the PCAP 2nd conference, kicked off its bid for second consecutive titles with an 18-3 domination over Palawan Queen’s Gambit on Wednesday night.
The Kisela Knights set the tone in the blitz game with wins from Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Board 1), Karl Victor Ochoa (Board 2), Cherry Ann Mejia (Board 3), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), John Michael Silvederio (Board 5), Fritz Porras (Board 6), and Mark Mariano (Board 7).
Iloilo also dominated Palawan in the rapid chess category with Antonio (Board 1), Ochoa (Board 2), Cesar Mariano (Board 4), Silvederio (Board 5), and Porras (Board 6) netting two points each and Mark Mariano settling for draw in Board 7.
The Kisela Knights hope to continue their winning ways on Saturday evening as they face Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates at 7:00 p.m. and Toledo City Trojans at 9:00 p.m.
The new-look Kingsmen, on the other hand, started their PCAP third conference campaign with a 15.5-5.5 manhandling of Iriga City Oragons.
The Negrenses owned the Oragons in the blitz game with wins from Nelson Mariano III (Board 1), Mari Joseph Turqueza (Board 2), Rowelyn Acedo (Board 3), Rolzon Roullo (Board 5), and Adrian dela Cruz (Board 7) and a draw by Theseus Benitez in Board 6.
Negros also defeated Iriga in the rapid chess event following victories by Mariano (Board 1), Turquenza (Board 2), Acedo (Board 3), Jenny Mayor (Board 4), and Roullo (Board 5).
“Another good start for the Negros team in this conference with foreign guest teams; with our new players blending well with the holdovers. Hope we could carry the momentum into the succeeding games,” said Negros co-team owner Martin Olendo.
The Kingsmen will also return to action with Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday followed by the second game against Mindoro Tamaraws at 9:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ