by Marlon Bernardino
The Cavite Spartans beat Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 12-9, in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 on online tournament at the lichess platform.
Cavite conquered the Blitz category, 5-2, with victories from Lourecel Hernandez Ecot, International Master Petronio Roca, Ricky Batcho, Jayson San Jose Visca and Jaypie Bolado.
Woman International Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Susan Grace Neri provided the victories for Jorge Mitra own team Palawan Queen’s Gambit.
They managed to keep things close in the Rapid category to end the showdown in a draw, 7-7 to clinch the much-needed victory for the Cavite Spartans backed up by Rep. Jon-Jon A. Ferrer, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Tereso O. Panga and Skin Magical Dist4, CARSIGMA Cavite.
Its was Lloyd Rubio’s heroics that saved the day for the Caviteno woodpushers. After a sorry default loss in the Blitz portion, Rubio, playing black, defeated WIM Mendoza after 41 moves of a French defense transposed in their top board encounter.
Ecot split the point with Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito after 32 moves of London System Opening on board 2, Roca subdued Woman National Master Carmelita Abanes on board 4, while Batcho nipped Yani Seratubias after 35 moves of an Old Indian defense on board 5.
“The turning point was the win by Lloyd (Rubio) over Woman International Master Shania Mae Mendoza on top board.” said Coach Ederwin Estavillo who watched the game live thru online platform of lichess.org.
Neri, Marife dela Torre and Woman International Master Mikee Suede delivered the important win for Palawan Queen’s Gambit.
Neri routed Clairevy Estavillo -Marisga after 37 moves of Center Counter Game on board 3, de la Torre upset Visca after 66 moves of a London System Opening on board 6 while Suede crushed Bolado after 53 moves of Caro-Kann defense on board 7.
Earlier, the Cavite Spartans yielded to Negros Kingsmen, 7-14.
The Cavite Spartans are now in solo sixth with an 8-7 win-loss record in the Northern Division standings. They will face Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Toledo City Trojans this coming Saturday, February 13, 2021.
The 24-team tournament is organized by PCAP, headed by Chairman Michael Angelo Chua and President/Commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.
The tournament is being sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra and supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.
Photo shows (before the pandemic) International Master Petronio Roca of the Philippines (left) versus Khin Tan of Myanmar during the 9th Asian Seniors Chess Championship (Standard event) held at the Tagaytay International Convention Center, Tagaytay City, Philippines.