Madridejos Knights gallop to semis in ACAPI chess tourney

CEBU, Philippines — After dominating the qualifying stage, the Madridejos Knights Chess Club bannered by playing team owner Engr. Josito “Jojo” Clamor Dondon sustained their spectacular run in the Senior division of the Association of Chess Amateurs of the Philippines, Inc. (ACAPI) 1st President’s Cup online tournament.

The top seed Madridejos Knights terminated the eighth-ranked Valenzuela City White Knights Chess Club in the quarterfinals to advance in the Final Four battle.

Prior to that, the Madridejos Knights of Bantayan Island emerged as the elimination round topnotcher in a strong field of 14 teams with a total of 531 team points and 1, 375 Grand Prix points, way ahead by 110 points from their closest pursuer Surigao Diamond Knights.

Moreover, the California-based Gilbert Anthony Ababat and Antonio Cabibil came out as the top two individual scorers with 206 and 188 points, respectively.

The Texas-based Dondon, an Arena International Master and US Candidate Master, is at No.13 with 90 points and their other teammate Joseleo Cortes at No.15 with 79 points.

Dondon, a proud Lawisanon who has been actively supporting the Cebu chess community even during the pandemic, said their outstanding performance is something they work hard for.

“Before the tournament, the Madridejos Knights Chess Club was not mentioned as top team to watch in the Senior division,” Dondon said. “But I knew our team is the dark horse because of our composition.”

“Tony Cabibil is one of the fastest in Cebu’s blitz, ako kumpleto og practice, Joseleo is a veteran Cebuano chess player, and Gilbert Anthony Ababat is my teammate with CIT varsity chess team during our time. Ababat is a college professor in California for 25 years and still active in teaching,” Dondon added.

The Madridejos Knights will square off against either the Malolos Chess Club or the Las Piñas City-TFCC Chess Movers Club in the semifinals on April 11.

If victorious, Dondon said their toughest possible opponent in the finals is either the Surigao Diamond Knights owned by ACAPI President Rey Urbiztundo or the Davao Durianburg Stallions owned by Atty. Jose Dionisio Guevarra.