THE thriving Philippine Chess League now enjoys a strong backup from Deputy Speaker in three-termed Surigao del Sur Congressman Johnny T. Pimentel who successfully convinced the masonic community to expand its sports program to chess.
With this development, Deputy Speaker Pimentel ― in his capacity also as Grandmaster of Masons in the region ― will play host in the online Philippine Chess League Season 4 opening set on July 17 at 8 pm via Tornelo Platform.
The Surigao Diamond Knights owned by Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo will try to defend the title they earned after blanking the Edmonton Oilers in their best-of-three final series, 2-0 of the PCL Season 3 dubbed as Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio Cup.
“The Deputy Speaker Pimentel who is also our Grandmaster of Masons for the masonic year 2022-23 knows pretty well that Filipinos have inherent talent in chess which explains his massive support by reinforcing the community program of masons thru sports-chess,” Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
“Genuine understanding like this of how Philippine Chess will prosper through a concerted effort by the powers that be will only make us forever grateful,” he added.
Last season’s finale saw the Diamond Knights besting the Edmonton Oilers in the opener, 136-98 of the standard chess competition.
They repeated over the Oilers, 144-46 in Fischer Random or Chess960 of Game 2's title clincher.
The Surigao Diamond Knights, also anchored by some players from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, made it to the final after surprising the Davao Durianburg in the quarterfinals and Chessmis TV in the semifinals.
Other teams expected to return this fourth season include the Mindmovers PH chess team, Durianburg Warriors, San Miguel Chess Association, Bicol Chess Player Advocates, MCL Attackers chess team, Malolos City chess club, PFCC Wild Knights chess team, PPKGCC Knights chess team, White Knights chess club, PFCC Warlords and Malaybalay City chess club.
