By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights continued its stellar playoffs run after sweeping their semifinals series against the Negros Kingsmen, 13-8, 14.5-6.5, and punched another Southern division finals ticket in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) tournament.
Eager to take the win against their southern division rivals, the Kisela Knights banked on the chess prowess of their seasoned veterans from the get-go.
GM Antonio Rogelio Jr., NM Cesar Mariano, and NM John Michael Silvederio led Iloilo during the back-and-forth blitz category where they ended up leading by just a point, 4-3.
Things continued to get close in the last seven playing boards with Negros forcing three straight draws in the first three contests but a crucial eight-point swing awarded Iloilo the win.
During the second game, Iloilo started strong in the blitz category that rewarded them with an early 6.5-0.5 lead in the first seven playing boards.
Negros clawed their way back in the rapid category but NM Fritz Bryan Porras and NM Silvederio delivered the last two clutch board wins for the Kisela Knights.
The Kisela Knights’ huge win over the Kingsmen will setup a highly-anticipated southern division finals clash against team Davao who swept Toledo in two games during the semifinals.
Meanwhile, in the northern division, San Juan and Pasig will vie for the grand finals spot after sweeping their series against Caloocan and Manila, respectively.
