WITH two Mindanao-based teams dominating the last two conferences of the Philippines Chess League, the country's amateur chess tourney will only be more interesting and challenging for the teams from Luzon and Visayas in the next battle ahead.
Bankrolled by Robert 'Ace' Barbers, 2nd district Representative of Surigao del Norte, with his governor brother Lyndon Barbers joining for the first time as a major sponsor, the PCL Season 5 will open doors on Friday, November 4 via an online format.
"Definitely, the 5th Conference will be a big challenge for the competing teams outside Mindanao after their failure to deliver in the last two conferences," said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, among the board directors of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
The Surigao Diamond Knights, owned by Urbiztondo with Engr Dohjie Morales as team manager, ruled in the 3rd Conference. While the Davao City Durianburg Stallions, which has the full backing of lawyer Jose Dionisio 'Jong' Guevarra Jr, thrived in the 4th Conference.
It can be recalled that the Diamond Knights took their inaugural PCL crown after besting the Durianburg Stallions in the semifinals and sweeping the Edmonton Oilers in the final.
But the Stallions, anchored by Davao's top non-masters and veteran players such as Engr Allan Diez and International Arbiter James Infiesto, took control in the 4th Conference.
They blanked the PFCC WildKnights in the semifinals, 2-0 then crushed the Mindmovers, 109-87 in the final for the title glory.
Urbiztondo, however, told Gold Star Daily that more than the rivalry, the PCL enticed the support of the sports-loving Barbers brothers as it provides the potential woodpushers from the countryside a better avenue to hone and develop their chess skills.
"Unknown to many, Governor Barbers is not only a tennis player but has a heart for chess he's been updated for what has been happening in the chess world every now and then," Urbiztondo said.
PCL is an online chess league organized by the Philippines' Finest Chess Club.
Also expected to be back competing on Friday are the San Miguel Chess Association, Bicol Chess Player Advocates, MCL Attackers Chess Team, Malolos City Chess Club, PFCC Wild Knights, PPKGCC Knights Chess Team, White Knights Chess Club, PFCC Warlords and Malaybalay City Chess Club of Bukidnon.
