Laguna chessers stay red-hot as Barcenilla, Enriquez win

Laguna chessers stay red-hot as Barcenilla, Enriquez win

Laguna chessers stay red-hot as Barcenilla, Enriquez win

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by Marlon Bernardino
Grandmaster Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. and Woman National Master Jean Karen Enriquez powered the Laguna Heroes to a 17-4 victory over a GM Darwin Laylo-led Pasig City King Pirates in a battle of division heavyweights in the All Filipino Conference Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Wednesday, March 10, 2021 online tournament at the chess.com.


The Arizona, US based Barcenilla, a two-time (1989 and 1990) Asian Juniors champion in India and Dubai and 1991 Bronze medalist in World Juniors championship in Romania, checkmated fellow Olympiad veteran Laylo after 59 moves of English Opening, Anglo Indian, Queen's Knight variation in blitz portion then fought well into a fighting draw after 32 moves of Scandinavian defense in rapid play in their board 1 skirmish.


For Enriquez, on her part,  a former Jose Rizal University, Mandaluyong City standout swept Woman Fide Master Sherily Cua in their blitz (resign after 26 moves of Reti Opening, Sicilian Invitation) and rapid (checkmated after 64 moves of Caro-Kann defense ) showdown in their board 3 encounter.
"We did not expect to win against Pasig City Pirates, 17-4, since it's powered by GM Laylo and IM Labog. We were just lucky in the match" said Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo "Fred" Paez, one of the four co-team owner of the Laguna Heroes that includes  engineer Benjamin Dy, engineer Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.


Also delivering for Laguna backed up by Greatech Philippines, Inc., SDC Global Choice, Jolly Smile Dental Clinic and Rotary Club of Nuvali were FIDE Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, Vince Angelo Medina and Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo.


Bagamasbad won the blitz  and drew the rapid against National Master Rudy Ibanez in board 4, GM Gomez outlasted Cromwell Sabado in blitz and rapid in board 5, so did as Medina downed Carl Espallardo in blitz and rapid in board 6 and Lorenzo won the blitz and rapid against Leonel Escote in board 7.
International Master elect Eric Labog Jr. carried the good fight for mayor Vico Sotto Pasig chess team by beating Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus after 49 moves of Trompovsky Opening in blitz and split the point after 28 moves of Neo-Grunfeld defense in rapid in board 2.


With an earlier 17-4 victory over Olongapo Rainbow Team 7, the Laguna Heroes create a three-way tie for first place together with Caloocan Loadmanna Knights and San Juan Predators. The trio tallied similar 25-4 win-loss record in the Northern Division.


Other member of winning Laguna team were Candidate Master Arjie Bayangat, Arena Grandmaster Dr. Alfredo "Fred" Paez, engr.Benjamin Dy, engr. Jonathan Mamaril and Mr. David Nithyananthan.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows US based Grandmasters Julio Catalino Sadorra, Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and Wesley So