By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights had another masterful performance in the ongoing 2023 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) 1st conference after a 2-0 sweep last March 4, 2023.
Coming off a sweeping PCAP match day against Team Arriba Iriga-Camarines and the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates, the Kisela Knights continued its hot streak after crushing the Tacloban Vikings, 16-5, and the Cebu Niños, 17.5-3.5.
It was a usual start for the Kisela Knights against the Vikings after immediately dominating the first seven playing boards.
Iloilo only held Tacloban to a point in the blitz category led by Mark Jossel Mariano, Fiona Guirhem, and NM Cesar Mariano who gave the first three board wins for the Kisela Knights.
The Ilonggos continued its onslaught in the last seven playing boards and scored 10 impressive points capped off by a Lloyd Lanciola victory against John Edieson Gerez of Tacloban.
Meanwhile, it was the same outing against Cebu as the Kisela Knights blew the match wide open with a 5.5-1.5 lead in the blitz category.
Iloilo was quick to put their imprints on the math after a four-board winning streak courtesy of, NM Fritz Bryan Porras, NM Rolly Parondo Jr., NM Mariano, and Guirhem.
Cebu failed to hold off Iloilo’s surge in the last seven playing boards after raking all the first six which was enough to put away the Niño squad for good.
Iloilo will look to make it six-consecutive victories if they sweep their upcoming PCAP match schedule next week.
With the huge sweeping outing, the Kisela Knights maintained its spot in the top five of the Southern division together with Negros, Toledo, Camarines-Iriga, and Davao.
