COMING from a three-game roll over Negros, Toledo and Zamboanga, the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmaters are hoping to get past the playoff’s quarterfinals, for the first time, when they tangle with the fourth-seed Iloilo Kisela Knights tonight in the First Conference of the 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Online Chess Team Tournament.

Peaking right on time after a listless start, the Checkmaters finished the elimination round with a 14-14 win-loss record to overtake the Camarines-Iriga (13-15) for the fifth-place.

But it was Surigao’s upset win over the top-seeded Negros Island Region, 11-10, and the third-running Toledo Xignex Trojans, 13-8 that made them confident to face the former PCAP champion Iloilo in the first round of the playoff matches starting at 6 pm, April 19.

“I think we have the chance to finally get past the quarterfinals considering that we have the momentum and Iloilo underwent a massive facelift,” said Surigao team owner Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, citing veteran leader Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr., Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann and Gio Meija and Karl Viktor Ochoa who are no longer with Iloilo.

WE HAVE THE MOMENTUM. Surigao team owner AGM Rey Urbiztondo (at left) during the Mindanao leg of the 4th National Executive Chess Tournament in Cagayan de Oro. Photo by Lynde Salgados

Surigao’s board one player from Cagayan de Oro, Lennon Hart Salgados, the comebacking Gladys Romero, and Cyril Ortega are expected to carry the fight for the Checkmaters alongside John Ranel Morazo, Carl Sato Tyrone Alaan, FM Vince Alaan, Rhenz Rheann Auza, and Fame Fazon.

The Air Force man Salgados, who dominated GM Darwin Laylo in both the blitz and rapid duels during Surigao’s conquest of the Northern division’s fourth-seed team Magic Mandaluyong Tigers, 12-9 proved time and again that he can withstand against the country’s best.

FORMIDABLE. Cagayan de Oro native Lennon Hart Salgados (at right) opposite Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr, continues to give a steady push on board one for the Surigao team in the PCAP online chess tourney. Mindanao Chess File

Against the Negros Kingsmen where GM Antonio brings his chess talent for PCAP 2023, Salgados shut down FM David Elorta, 3-0 on the top board. And so Ortega against International Master Rico Mascariñas, 3-0, and Romero in her rapid match with WIM Beverly Mendoza during Surigao’s victory over the IM Kim Steven Yap-led Toledo Xignex Trojans.

“We can fight with any team. With a little luck, we can only hope and pray that the Surigao team can get rid of the playoff jinx,” further said AGM Urbiztondo, who thanks Congressman Ace Barbers of Surigao for sponsoring the team along with the support of Mayor Pablo Dumlao, Governor Lyndon Barbers, and team manager, Engr. Dohjie Morales.