Marlon Bernardino
GRANDMASTER John Paul Gomez came up with a huge win with white, turning back International Master Joel Pimentel in 33 moves of a Sicilian defense, Alapin variation on board five to lead the Laguna Heroes to a 12.5-8.5 victory over Negros Kingsmen in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at the lichess online platform.
It was a brilliant sacrifice by Gomez in the 33 moves giving up rook for a pawn to launch a kingside attack and inevitable checkmate.
“The veterans delivered the important points to win the match.” said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that includes engineer Benjamin Dy, engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.
“The Laguna Heroes defeated the powerhouse Negros Kingsmen in one of the most thrilling matches in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament.” added Dr. Alfredo “Fred” Paez, who is also Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
“It took Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and the Laguna-based squad a huge collective effort to outlast one of the best teams in the Southern Division and register a score of 12.5-8.5.” said engineer Benjamin Dy.
Laguna Heroes Team Owner engineer Benjamin Dy
The Arizona, US based two-time Asian Junior Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., played black and also scored a win, defeating FIDE Master Nelson “Elo” Mariano III on board one. FIDE Master Austin Jacob Literatus trounced Atty. Jason Maxino Bandal on board two while Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo halved the point with Adrian Dela Cruz on board seven to tie the rapid section, 7-7, and seal the victory.
Arena Grandmaster Rowelyn Joy “Kajoy” Acedo, National Master Rosendo Bandal Jr. and National Master Rolzon Roullo carried the fight for the Negros Kingsmen by beating Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez, FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad and Vince Angelo Medina on board three, four and six, respectively.
Earlier, the Laguna Heroes prevailed in the blitz portion, 5.5-1.5, against the Negros Kingsmen.
Negros Kingsmen rebounded in the next match by whipping Antipolo Cobras, 15-6 ,for a 16-3 slate in the Southern Division to join Iloilo Kisela Knights and Camarines Soaring Eagle on top with a similar 16-3 win-loss record.
The Laguna Heroes in the meantime are still on a winning streak with another victory over Jorge Mitra own Team Palawan Queen’s Gambit, 18-3.
The Laguna Heroes remain at solo third place with a 16-3 win-loss record in the Northern Division. The San Juan Predators (with 17-2 record) and the Caloocan Loadmanna Knights (with 16-2 record) currently pace the Northern Division.
The Laguna Heroes look to another great performance Saturday night (February 20, 2021) when they face Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and Toledo City Trojans.
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.-