Gonzales, Sales draw in national chess opener

TAGAYTAY CITY — Brothers-in-law International Master Jayson Gonzales and FIDE Master Jesse Noel Sales agreed to a quick draw at the start of the National Chess Championships yesterday at the Tagaytay International Convention Center here.

Gonzales and Sales split the point after 15 moves of their Slav Defense encounter.

"Mabuti na yung ireserba sa mga kritikal na rounds ‘yung lakas mo. Simula pa lang naman at hindi naman kami iba ni Jesse," said Gonzales, one of the remaining two seeded finalists in the event with IM Ronald Dableo being the other.

National Masters Roland Joseph Perez and Rolando Nolte also settled for a truce after 25 moves of an English Opening.

The event’s first big upset happened in the women’s draw after untitled Daisy Rivera took the measure of top seed WIM Beverly Mendoza in 52 moves of Sicilian-Closed.

Rivera, a former varsity player of the University of the East, had a positional advantage and was a pawn up at endgame.

The other men’s games pitting Dableo against IM Barlo Nadera, NM Darwin Laylo against top qualifier NM Oliver Barbosa, IM Chito Garma against NM Emmanuel Senador, NM Leonardo Carlos against 10-year old prodigy Wesley So, IM Petronio Roca against Mirabeau Maga and Fame Fazon against FM Fernie Donguines were still ongoing.

NM Rodolfo Diaz, Jr. took a bye after NM Jerry Nodado failed to show up.

Loreshyl Cuizon scalped Chardine Cheradee Camacho after 40 moves of Torre Attack to join Rivera on top.

WIM Cristine Rose Mariano agreed to a friendly draw with WNM Christine Castellano after just 15 moves of Sicilian.

Mary Grace Castro and WNM Carmelita Alvarez and WNM Aices Salvador and WNM Carmelita Abanes were in the middle of a tough match as of press time. WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao and WNM Kathryn Ann Cruz will make their debut today.

Newly-elected National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Go Teng Kok defended the board’s decision to seed three players – Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio and IM Mark Paragua – in the men’s team that will represent the country in this year’s World Chess Olympiad.

"We came up with the decision for the interest of the national team," said Go, speaking before some of the country’s finest players for the first time as head of the local chess governing body.

Go made the ceremonial opening moves with Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Tolentino took pride for getting the privilege to host the annual event, which serves as qualifier to the Olympiad.

"I’m glad our city’s able to host an event like this. Maipapakita namin na nababagay sa aming siyudad na maging venue ng mga chess tournaments," said Tolentino, proud of his city’s quiet, relaxing environment.

Tagaytay also hosted this year’s 14th Asian Cities where the home team composed of Torre, Antonio, GM Bong Villamayor and IMs Ronald Dableo and Gonzales emerged as champion.

Torre, NCFP secretary-general lawyer Sammy Estimo, director Willy Abalos and Asia’s first International Master Rodolfo Tan Cardoso also graced the opening.