THREE of four Cebu-based teams of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines scored contrasting opening day victories in the import-spiced Wesley So Cup over the weekend.
The Lapu-Lapu City Naki Warriors topped the Mindoro Tamaraws, 12-9, with big points coming from National Master (NM) Edsel Montoya, who bested US-based NM Rainier Labay on both blitz and rapid play on Board One.
Then NM Anthony Makinano bounced back big time in rapid play after losing to Hungary’s Woman Fide Master Fruzsina Santa-Varga, 2-1.
Makinano wasn’t the only Naki Warrior who bounced back in rapid play that changed their fortunes around. The other homegrown player, Romeo Resuera, got back two points from Mindoro’s Emmanuel Asi.
Mindoro unfortunately was beset by power outage problems forcing them to switch players on other boards. Lapu-Lapu City, in the interest of sportsmanship, graciously allowed a delay in the game’s start to accommodate the Tamaraws.
The Cordova Dagami Warriors, meanwhile, crushed the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, 17-4, behind massive wins on their top boards that set the tone for the rout.
Led by NM Jonathan Tan who defeated Israeli import Nitzan Steinberg, 2.5-0.5, and Merben Roque, who upset Grandmaster (GM) Enrico Sevillano, in both blitz and rapid play, 3-0, the rest of the Dagami Warriors took their cue for their first win of the tourney.
Cordova team manager Ariel Potot downplayed Steinberg’s loss saying he was adjusting to the Philippine set-up.
The Toledo Trojans bested cross-city rivals Cebu City Machers, 15.5-5.5, for their first win of the competition.