By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights had a 1-1 outing during another 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) third conference match night.
After maintaining its winning streak against Cebu and PCL Pagadian last game day, the Kisela Knights lost at the hands of the Northern division’s top squad Pasig, 11.5-9.5, and bounced back against the Pasig City Grassroots Knights, 18-3.
It was a tightly-contested rivalry duel against Iloilo and Pasig as both squads were deadlocked in the first seven playing boards, 3.5-all.
Pasig then gained momentum after racking up back-to-back wins at the start of the rapid category that helped establish their early four-point lead.
WFM Cherry Ann Mejia gave the Kisela Knights a much-needed win in the third board but Pasig came right back with a counter victory in the fourth playing board.
NM Fritz Bryan Porras and NM John Michael Silviderio added two more wins for the Kisela Knights but Pasig still came on top with a slight two-point advantage to close the match.
Seeking to get back in the winning column to avoid a 0-2 result, the Kisela Knights vented their ire on the Grassroots Knights and put on an offensive clinic.
From a sub-par performance in the blitz category, the Kisela Knights steamrolled their way against Pasig City and quickly dominated with a 6-1 start.
Iloilo continued its mastery in the last seven playing boards and only allowed the Grassroots Knights with one board win.
NM Rolly Parondo Jr., Karl Viktor Ochoa, and Horizon Villanueva led the Iloilo onslaught in the rapid category and helped Iloilo grab the win, 12-2.
The Kisela Knights will have the chance to retake the top spot in the Southern division if they sweep Olongapo and Mindoro on the next scheduled game day.
