Mandaluyong blanks Mandaue in team chess

TANAUAN CITY, BATANGAS — Mandaluyong started strong in the 2011 Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Championships yesterday by scoring a, 4-0 shutout over Mandaue City at the Tanauan Event Center here.

Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Fide Master David Elorta, Francis Glenn Panes and Jose Vito Tapulgo all won their respective matches for Mandaluyong’s sizzling start.

Antonio bested National Master Leonardo Alidani, Elorta routed Gary Legaspi, Panes subdued Reynaldo Flores and Tapulgo beat Peterson Sia.

A record 42 teams or more than 200 participants have signed up for this year’s event.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president and chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said this year’s edition is not only the biggest in terms of the number of participants but also the strongest, since practically almost all of the country’s top players are competing.

“Even the members of the men’s and women’s team in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games are also seeing action as part of their preparation for the biennial meet,” said Pichay.

Pichay also lauded Tanauan Economic Council executive director Atty. Ruel Canobas for hosting and co-organizing the week-long, 7-round Swiss System tournament, which kicked off with a colorful opening ceremony yesterday.

In his statement, lawyer Canobas thanked the NCFP for giving Tanauan City the opportunity to host the tournament.

Also held simultaneously with the inter-cities chess tournament is the national age-group tournament which drew 168 participants, bringing the total number of players to almost 400.

“The presence of the young kids in the age-group competitions brought synergy to the whole event, because these young kids will be our future chess heroes,” Canoba added. /Correspondent MARLON BERNARDINO