by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines---The defending champion Laguna Heroes displayed superiority in (June 16, 2021) Wednesday’s online tournament of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup by conquering all of their matches via chess.com platform.
The Heroes opened the night with a 21-0 domination over Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates and followed it up with a 14.5-6.5 beating of Toledo City Trojans to upgrade to an 13-4 win-loss record, good for a tie for third to fourth with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights.
"We hope to do even better in the succeeding matches and improve our overall standing,” said Dr.Fred Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that include Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon.
Backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali, Laguna’s AGM Dr. Alfredo Paez and the squad won 4, draw 1 and 2 loses in the Blitz category. They headed into the Rapid category with the 10-4 victory.
Laguna managed to beat Toledo in the rapid portion behind wins by two-time Asian Junior champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. (Board 1), sub-import Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko (Board 2), Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez (Board 3) and Vince Angelo Medina (Board 6).
Barcenilla defeated sub-import Iranian Grandmaster Amir Bagheri in 41 moves Caro-Kann Defense, Accelerated Panov variation, Shevchenko trounced National Master Rommel Ganzon in 75 moves of Petroff defense, Enriquez checkmated Jinky Catulay in 51 moves Sicilian defense, Grandprix variation and Medina crushed Ariel Joseph Abellana in 29 Caro-Kann defense.
Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Board 4) halving the point with International Master Rico Mascarinas in 67 moves of English Opening as well Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (Board 5) settled for a truce with Richard Natividad in 40 moves of Indian Game, East Indian defense.
Redentor Nailon Toledo (Board 7) provided the full point for Toledo after beating Aaron Kimuel Lorenzo in 53 moves of Caro-Kann defense, Panov Attack variation.
The Heroes will seek to maintain their hot streak and will try to clinch the no. 1 spot in the Northern Division by facing Zamboanga Sultans and Camarines Soaring Eagle this coming Saturday, June 19, 2021.
Other members of winning Laguna Heroes chess team backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic, KALARO and Rotary Club of Nuvali were Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Mr. David Nithyananthan of KALARO, Engr. Benjamin Dy of SDC Global Choice and Engr. Jonathan Mamaril of Oregon, USA.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows two-time Asian Junior champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr., winner over sub-import Iranian Grandmaster Amir Bagheri in 41 moves Caro-Kann Defense, Accelerated Panov variation in their Rapid game.