THE Davao Chess Wizards lost two in a row in pre-Valentines tussles to slid to second spot behind front-running Iloilo Kisela Knights as the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates put up a brave stance to remain in the upper half-standing of the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines Southern Division.
Before closing their twin bill assignments on Saturday with a decisive 15.5-5.5 triumph over Olongapo, the Surigao chessers bowed down to the North’s topnotcher Pasig Pirates, 6.5-14.5 but not after scoring a monumental upset win on top board as well on boards 3 and 4.
Air force man Lennon Hart Salgados, a native of Cagayan de Oro, upstaged the attacking genius Grandmaster Mark Paragua in a thrilling match that showcased the Kagay-anon’s defensive prowess with the kid black pieces.
“Grabe nga atake ni GM Paragua pero ni backfire sa kunat nga depensa ni Lennon,” said Surigao team owner Honorary National Master Rey Urbiztondo.
Along with the other upset wins of Mariel Romero over Woman International Master Sherily Cua and National Master Cyril Ortega over International Master Cris Ramayrat and John Ranel Morazo’s drawn bout with Grandmaster Darwin Laylo on board 2, the Surigao Checkmaters were able to hold the heavily-favored Pasig to a 3.5-3.5 standoff in blitz showdown.
In the rapid play, the Olympiad veteran and three-time World Cup qualifier Paragua was itching to seek revenge.
He immediately capitalized on Salgados’ inferior handling of the King’s Indian’s opening Makagonov variation to lunch for another violent assault that saw white’s uncastled King in a very vulnerable situation.
But to the PCAP analysts’ great surprise, the former Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Salgados was able to survive mayhem and escape with a stunning draw.
“Mahiwaga talaga ang chess ewan ko paano nangyari. Akalain bang napunta pa sa bandang huli na muntik pang manalo na naman si Lennon Hart kundi lang naipit sa time,” commented Fide Master Daniel Causo during the live stream analysis.
This time, however, only Salgados had managed a draw and Romero produced another win as Pasig pummeled Surigao in the rapid contest, 11-3 then crushed Tacloban in the nightcap, 18-3 to keep the solo leadership in Northern Division with a remarkable 12-1 win-loss record.
The Iloilo Kisela Knights grabbed the south’s top spot at 12-1 after erstwhile co-leader Davao yielded to Isabela, 10.5-10.5 (2-1) and Cavite, 12-9.
The other two Mindanao teams Zamboanga Sultans and Cagayan de Oro Higalas occupied sixth and eight places with 7-6 and 4-9 ledgers, respectively.
