By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent

WITH the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates clinging to dear life in the second round of the 2021 Philippine Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) season-ending 3rd Conference, attention shifts to the country’s Paralympic team powered by Bisdak-speaking frontliners (Bisayang dako).

While the Checkmaters are struggling to qualify in the quarterfinals like what they did in the 2nd Conference, the Para chessers had surprisingly vaulted to the top in the Southern division with a perfect 7-0 record.

“Hapit pa namo sila mapeldi, pero grasyahan gyod kay grabe ilang paningkamot despite the physical disability of their players,” said Cagayan de Oro-based National Master Levi Mercado, who spearheaded the two-pointer Olongapo Rainbow.

Powered by Jerlyn Mae San Diego, Fide Master Roel Abelgas, and reigning IPCA world champion Sander Severino of Silay City in Negros province, the Para woodpushers will take on heavyweights Pasig and Laguna when PCAP’s double-header resumes tonight at 7:30 pm.

Female campaigner San Diego led Para scorers with 18.5 points on 11 wins, one draw, and one loss, followed by Abelgas with 18 points on 12 wins, one draw, and one loss.

The wheelchair-riding Severino has 14.5 points on nine wins, three draws, and one loss at the top board position.

FM Severino and the company’s mettle will be put to the real test by the Pasig Pirates of Grandmasters Roland Salvador and Darwin Laylo, as well as the Laguna Heroes fronted by GMs Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. and John Paul Gomez.

On the other hand, the Checkmaters ― Mindanao’s lone official entry in the country's first-ever professional chess league ― seek their second win at the expense of NM Mercado’s Olongapo in the opener.

“With only one win to show, we’re obviously in serious trouble. But we’re not giving up,” Surigao team owner, Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.

Game schedules:

Round 8 –San Juan vs. Penang, Laguna vs. SinQGApore, Pasig vs. Paralympic, Manila vs Sunrays, Isabela vs. Iloilo, Caloocan vs Negros, Rizal vs, Lapu-Lapu, Olongapo vs Surigao, Pengcheng vs.Palawan, Bangko vs. Toledo, Davao vs. Camarines, Pampanga vs. Mindoro.

Round 9 — Singapore vs. San Juan, Paralympic vs Laguna, Sunrays vs. Pasig, Iloilo vs. Manila, Negros vs. Isabela, Lapu-Lapu vs. Caloocan, Surigao vs. Rizal, Palawan vs. Olongapo, Toledo vs. Pengcheng, Camarines vs. Bangkok, Mindoro vs. Davao, Penang vs. Pampanga.