Region II leads with 7.5 points

MANILA, Philippines – National Capital Region (NCR) continued its winning run as it blanked Region IX, 4-0, to raise its total to 7 points in the men’s division after Round 2 of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) National Finals chess team tournament on Wednesday.

NCR, represented by Far Eastern University (FEU), bagged its 2nd round victory at the Rizal Technological University (RTU) in Mandaluyong City.

Lyndon Sombilon beat James Mark Ruiz after 21 moves of Staunton Gambit on board 1, Sheider Nebato downed Jestoni Navaja after 43 moves of Modern defense on board 2, Luffe Magdalaga crushed Carlo Mark Florendo after 25 moves of Caro-Kann defense on board 3 while Antonio Chavez Jr. defeated Nell Temporada after 36 moves of Sicilian defense on board 4.

The Tamaraws, who are fresh from a four-peat championship win in the 72nd UAAP Chess Team Tournament, defeated Region VI, 3-1, in the 1st round on Tuesday.

“I hope the boys can sustain their winning form,” said FEU coach two-time Olympian Grandmaster (GM) Jayson Gonzales. The team’s assistant coach is National Master (NM) Alex Milagrosa.
 
Michael Joseh Pagaran, Yuri Cauba, King James Torres and Johnny Carzano of Region VII  also tallied a total of 7 points. They beat Region III, 3.5-0.5, and Region XII, 3.5-0.5.

Region II, on the other hand, composed of Malfred Sanchez, Melchor Arcenas, Jr., Dillon Intila and Reynante Tano combined their forces to beat Region VIII, 3-1, and Caraga Region, 3.5-0.5, to grab the solo leadership board with 7.5 points.

In the distaff side, NCR also represented by FEU defeated Region I, 2.5-1.5.

Veteran campaigner and 2006 Doha Asian games representative Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena and Ronne Reigner Sonora carried the fight for the Lady Tamaraws after beating Aureen Joy Reyes and Kristine Joy Magandi on board 1 and 4, respectively.
 
Lovelyn Medina settled a truce with Juno Oniega Camacho after 41 moves of Sicilian defense on board 3 while FEU’s Jenny Rose Palomo suffered a heart-breaking loss to Abigail Acosta after 70 moves of King’s Indian defense on board 2.

NCR beat Region V, 4-0, in the opening match.
 
Tournament director Limneo Cordero is assisted by arbiters Kim Dumdum, Ronnie Tabudlong, Raul Cruz and NMs Erwin Carag and Mauro Yasay. – by Marlon Bernardino