By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights are currently the hottest team in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Premier Association Cup as they are off to a blazing 5-0 start.
Aiming to be the first team to win back-to-back titles in the only professional chess tournament in the country, the Kisela Knights crushed their rival squad Camarines Soaring Eagles and the Cebu City Machers, both with an identical score of 18.5-2.5, in their last match of Day 3.
The Kisela Knights displayed another high-level of chess mastery during Day 3 and it couldn’t be any sweeter against their rival team Camarines during their first match.
Iloilo just dominated from the get-go and steam-rolled their way to a flawless Rapid category as they swept all boards against Camarines.
It was the same demolition job in their second match as the Kisela Knights showed no mercy against co-South division member Cebu City Marchers.
Iloilo swept the first seven boards in the opening Blitz category and clinched the next six led by GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., NM Giovanni Mejia, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, and NM Cesar Mariano.
With their 5-0 start, the Kisela Knights are now the league’s no. 1 team with 84 total points followed by San Juan with 74.5 and Negros with 67.
