UNDERDOG Noel Paguidopon of the Provincial Assessor’s Office is poised to win this year’s chess competition of the Civil Service Anniversary Sportsfest 2024 at the Capitol Chess Park in Cagayan de Oro City.

After shooting down the No.1 seed Lorenzo Cuizon of the Provincial Sports Development Office (PSDO) last weekend, Paguidopon conquered the second seed William Reintegrado of the Admin Office on Wednesday’s fifth round to take the solo lead in men’s chess with a perfect 5 of 5 performance going for today’s (September 12) last two rounds.

GIANT KILLER. Noel Paguidopon (right), deep in concentration, outsmarts No. 3 seed Joven Berondo before sweeping No. 2 seed William Reintegrado in the fifth round. Photo by Lynde Salgados

This is as former Milo Little Olympics standout and regional DepEd player Alexa Joy Ejem of the Provincial Engineering Office widened her lead in women’s chess rivalry with the same immaculate 5-of-5 effort.

“Nakadaug ra gyod ko kang William (Reintegrado), national gyod siya’g capture sa piyesa nga nakadugang pag build up sa akong initiative,” exclaimed Paguidopon after netting a marathon victory through his fine opening preparation and well-calculated attack with the white pieces.

Mathematically, Paguidopon needed just one point in the last two rounds this afternoon to nail the CSC chess title and the P3,000 top purse plus the trophy that goes along with it.