MANILA, Philippines – Inspired by their Grandmaster (GM) coaches, the Far Eastern University (FEU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) chess teams got off to a great start at the onset of the 72nd season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) chess team championships men’s division.

FEU beat Adamson University, 3-1, while UST defeated De La Salle University (DLSU), 3.5-0.5 at the UST’s new Tan Yan Kee Student Center in Manila on Saturday.
 
The Morayta-based squad, under the tutelage of FEU head coach GM Jayson Gonzales, opened their four-peat bid on a bright note.

Top gunner Lyndon Sombilon beat Ronnie Lord Guerra (35 moves of Queens Gambit Declined), last year’s Rookie of the Year Sheider Nabato edged Fernando Reyes, Jr. (42 moves of King’s Indian Defense), and Luffe Magdalaga toppled Daniel Casil, Jr. (27 moves of Bird’s Opening), on board 1, 3 and 4, respectively.
 
Board 2 player Tristan Soriano saved the day for a possible shut-out loss of the Falcons, beating Tamaraw James Bulicatin (52 moves of Giuco Piano Opening).
 
“So far, so good. Maganda ang simula ng FEU team,” said Gonzales. “Sana mahawakan namin ang momentum,” added assistant coach National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa.

UST shocks DLSU

Last year’s runner-up and host school UST shocked DLSU with Joey Albert Florendo leading the charge for the Growling Tigers, defeating Paolo Lorenzo Bautista after 30 pushes of King’s Indian Skirmirsh.

His teammates Gerald Ferriol and Patrick Florendo won their first round matches against Mari Joseph Turqueza (25 moves of Slav Defense) and Revin Brian Vasallo (42 moves of Caro-Kann Defense), respectively.
 
La Salle’s board 3 player Emmanuel Emperado could only contribute a draw for the Green Archers against Jude Fronda after 40 moves of Giuco Piano Opening.
 
“Sa tingin ko FEU pa din ang mabigat na kalaban sa titulo. Pero inaasahan natin na may mga teams na magbibigay ng sorpresa,” said UST head coach GM-elect Ronald Dableo, the 2003 Vietnam Asian 3.2 zonal champion.
 
In other results, University of the Philippines beat University of the East, 2.5-1.5, while Ateneo de Manila University settled a 2-2 draw with National University (NU).
 
In the distaff side, the Lady Tamaraws opened their retention title bid with a 3-1 victory over the NU Lady Bulldogs. The FEU squad is composed of Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena, Rulp Ylem Jose, Jenny Rose Palomo and Lovelyn Medina

The Baby Tamaraws, meantime, blanked the Baby Bulldogs, 4-0, in the junior’s division.

Tournament arbiter Elias Lao, a certified NM and international arbiter, said the games will be held every Saturday and Sunday.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. watched the opening day games of the collegiate event. – by Marlon Bernardino