By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Island Region (NIR) Kingsmen continued their strong start in the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) 1st Conference with a pair of victories on Wednesday night, March 15.

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 the Southern Division standings with a 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 points 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.

On the other hand, the Iloilo Kisela Knights escaped with a 2-1 Armageddon victory over Rizal Batch Towers to remain in fourth place in the 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 the 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 on 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 the rapid game, 8-6, for a score of 10.5-10.5.

The Armageddon is slated on Saturday night, March 18./ASC, WDJ