By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
IT is now hoping against hope for Mindanao’s Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in terms of survival in the second round of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) season-ending 3rd Conference.
This, after the Congressman Robert Barbers-backed Checkmaters, suffered another twin defeats at the hands of Lapu-lapu (6.5-14.5) and Negros (4.5-16.5) on Wednesday’s double-header to skid to 9th place in the Southern division with only three wins against 14 losses.
“Medyo lisud na gyod tungason among chance, pero dula lang gihapon sa among remaining games,” said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, who along with scoring machine Lennon Hart Salgados, scored the only full two points in rapid play against Lapu-lapu.
In that contest, the old-fashioned Urbiztondo added Cebuano Fide Master Anthony Makinano in his growing list of victims to his tried and tested Trompovsky opening.
“Tsamba tingali pero puro convincing nga pagdaug. Naa siguro magic ni nga opening,” Urbiztondo said in half jest, after he also defeated Theseus Benitez Jr of Negros.
Also, to the Surigao team’s consolation, its board two-player Salgados from Cagayan de Oro remains undefeated in rapid play as he overpowered former Philippine junior champion in Saudi Arabia-based NM Elwin Retanal of Lapu-lapu and held FM Mari Joseph Turqueza of Negros to a draw.
The 2nd Conference ruler Iloilo of Grandmaster Joey Antonio had overtaken the FM Sander Severino-led Philippine Paralympic for the Southern Division lead, 231 to 214.5 in tiebreak points. While San Juan and Pasig shared the Northern division lead at 16-1.
