By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
IT is getting, even more, tougher for Mindanao’s cause.
Still reeling from back-to-back losses, last Conference’s quarterfinalist Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates will try to do the “impossible” as it takes on tournament top guns tonight in the resumption of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) second-round hostilities for its season-ending 3rd Conference.
The Checkmaters, Mindanao’s lone official entry this conference in the country’s first-ever professional chess league, clash with 1st Conference champion Laguna at 7:30 pm, tonight followed by another uphill bout with Northern division top notcher San Juan.
“Nisamot ka lig-on ang kontra but we’ll never back off from any challenge. Close fight atong kapeldihan pagsugod sa second round. So, we keep on hoping to score an upset against the tournament favorites,” said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.
Laguna is powered by the grandmasters' duo of Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and John Paul Gomez, while San Juan is fronted by GM Oliver Barbosa and the International Master pair of Rolando Nolte and Ricky de Guzman.
As National Master Joey Florendo will take a rest, veteran NM Jonathan Tan will be back at the top board position for Surigao with Airforce man Lennon Hart Salgados, undefeated in its last two outings, aiming to keep his fire blazing on board two.
Also hoping to play with fervor in the nerve-wracking blitz and rapid duels are the fightingest Aubrey Gallardo, Fr. Vic Arellano, Fide Master Vince Alaan, Tyrone Alaan, and Rogelio Canoy.
Just how strong Surigao’s next two opponents are?
Well, they just kicked off their second-round campaign by running roughshod over the top two teams in the south.
The Laguna Heroes drubbed the Negros Kingsmen, 14.5-6.5, while the San Juan Predators pummeled the 2nd Conference ruler Iloilo Kisela Knights, 15-6.
The Congressman Robert Barbers-backed Mindanao pawnpushers qualified in the next round after sweeping through the 1st Conference finalist Camarines, 15.5-5.5, and tail-ender Cebu, 14-7 in their last two game assignments of the first 30-team field elimination round.
The second round also welcomes guest online visitors from China, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia as well as the National Paralympics and junior squads.
Each one of them will play 23 games in a single round-robin vis chess.com platform.
