By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end in the recently concluded 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Premier Association Cup playoffs.
Eager to carry on the momentum they had during the past four PCAP playoffs match days, the Kisela Knights split their PCAP playoffs Day 16 after outlasting Penang, 13.5-7.5, while facing defeat at the hands of Singapore, 12.5-8.5.
Iloilo was able to perfectly execute what they wanted in the opening seven playing boards when they immediately grabbed the early lead, 4.5-2.5, in the blitz category.
A six-board streak was a welcome sight to see for the Kisela Knights courtesy of GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Karl Viktor Ochoa, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, NM Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, and NM John Michael Silvederio.
The flawless offensive game for the Kisela Knight continued in the Rapid category and didn’t allow Penang to grab the lead in the last seven playing boards, 9-5.
Meanwhile, against Singapore, Iloilo again quickly grabbed the lead in the Blitz category but found themselves in deep trouble when they only scored four points in the last seven playing boards of the match.
Still leading by 4.5-2.5 before the Rapid category kicked off, the Kisela Knights had a disappointing four-board losing streak and only racked two wins from Ochoa and WFM Mejia.
Despite the split match day, the Kisela Knights are still the no. 1 team in the Southern division with 279.5 points followed by the Paralympic team with 244.5 points.
