By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
MINDANAO’S young pair of chess masters, NM Joey Florendo of Zamboanga and Lennon Hart Salgados of Cagayan de Oro, lived up to expectations holding their own for the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates’ battle royale on the top boards.
But their resiliency was not enough as the Checkmaters ― Mindanao’s lone official team entry in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) 3rd Conference ― fell short against tournament heavyweights Manila and Pasig on Wednesday’s opening of the foreign-laced second round skirmishes via online chess.com platform.
The Congressman Robert Barbers-backed Checkmaters were close to scoring an upset over the Manila Indios Bravos before yielding, 9-12, and then lost another thrilling contest with the Pasig King Pirates, 9.5-11.5 on the same night.
After narrowly giving up the blitz showdown at 3-4, the Checkmaters were poised to reverse the outcome in the rapid duel when Florendo was about to checkmate US National Master Ryan Dungca on board one. But with still three minutes left on the clock, Florendo missed the fatal Qg3-check continuation leading to mate and was tempted with the seemingly playable Rh4 that apparently backfired.
“It could be an 11-10 upset win for us against Manila kay one-point lang per win sa blitz while two points ang equivalent for every won match sa rapid. At least, maka-away gyod diay atong mga talents sa probinsiya in big chess events like PCAP,” said Surigao team owner, Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.
On board two, the former Palarong Pambansa champion Salgados dominated International Master Marvin Miciano both in blitz (1-0) and rapid (2-0) to come up with a perfect score alongside board seven teammate Rogelio Canoy (3-0).
Against Pasig, Salgados held Italy-based Grandmaster Roland Salvador into a couple of draws to remain undefeated. While Florendo exacted revenge in a rapid play opposite Fide Master David Elorta after his defeat in blitz.
Surigao’s Aubrey Gallardo and FM Vince Alaan were also victorious in a rapid tiff that paved the way to a pulsating 7-7 standoff after acceding the blitz at 2.5-4.5.
The Checkmaters qualified to 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.
In the second round, featuring guest online visitors from China, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia as well as the national Paralympics and junior squads, each team will play 23 games each.
Reigning 2nd Conference champion Iloilo Kisela Knights of GM Joey Antonio and Karl Victor Ochoa got waylaid by Northern division top-seed San Juan, 15-6 for their first-ever defeat since topping the Southern division at 10-0.
“Who knows, basin diesel diay kining atong Mindanao team mawala na kaba ug perception nga kusog ang taga North sa second round. Our lesson from back to back losses will only get us better,” Urbiztondo warned.
