Manila—The Mindanaoan team Davao City Durianburg Stallions defeated Mindmovers. PH Chess Club to win the championship trophy of the highly competitive professional Philippine Chess League Season 4 held at Tornelo Platform.
The Stallions, owned by Chess patron and lawyer Jose Dionisio “Jong” Guevarra Jr. (photo above), defeated the Mindmovers 109-87 in the finals to take the coveted PCL crown.
The Stallions team got the slot earlier in the finals after beating the PFCC Wildknights in their semifinal duel 2-0.
The Mindmovers owned by Singapore based Van Lanuza, on the other hand beat San Miguel Chess Association, 2-0, to arrange a titular showdown with the Stallions team.
PCL is an online chess league organized by the Philippines’ Finest Chess Club.
Most team members are part of the veteran-laden Davao City Eagles chess team that reached the semifinals of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines chess tournament season two.
The team, dubbed the Davao Chess Wizards, joined the PCAP Premier Cup tournament last year as a guest team, where they were able to reach the quarterfinals round.
This year, the team focused and prepared to win the PCAP crown with a formidable line-up mostly of veteran chess players who have carried the city’s flag in local, national, and international chess tournaments.
Leading the team is lawyer Guevarra, GM Darwin Laylo, World chess champion for the differently-abled FM Sander Severino, national chess coach FM Roel Abelgas, Panabo City, Davao del Norte NM Henry Roger Lopez, DPWH engineer Aglipay Oberio, Philippine chess team coach for the differently-abled IA James Infiesto, Engr. Allan Diez, Alexander Lupian, Arnel Iton, Anthony Mosqueda, Cris Yap, Atty. Mary Segara and former DLSU college chess team member Joy Acedo. –Marlon Bernardino-