So sparks Tagaytay hot start

KALIBO, Aklan, Philippines  – Multi-titled Tagaytay served notice of its title bid with an easy 4-0 shutout win over Accenture Chess Enthusiasts Club-A at the start of the 2011 National Inter-Provincial Chess Team Championship at the Cabagnot Training Center here Friday.

GM Wesley So outduellled Jimmy Jimenez in their top board encounter to power Tagaytay of Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino to a rousing start in this five-day competition orgainized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Aklan provincial government.

So, the country’s highest-rated player with an ELO of 2667, made short work of Jimenez in their keenly-watched encounter on centerstage.

Allan Cantonjos, Ivan Gil Biag and Garry Garcia completed a big day for Tagaytay by beating Marc Noel Jovero, Joseph Padlan and Menard De Ocampo, respectively.

Sharing the limelight were defending champion LWUA-Quezon City A, led by GM John Paul Gomez, and Misamis Oriental, bannered by comebacking GM Mark Paragua, which matched Tagaytay’s 4-0 record.

LWUA-Quezon City A blanked Lanao del Sur, while Misamis Oriental crushed ACE Team-B by similar 4-0 scores.

Gomez, a three-time Olympian crushed Roger Sarip in board one, Ted Ian Montoyo thwarted Ben Polao, Jayson Salubre tamed Cosain Magarang and Mari Joseph Turqueza humbled Faisal Amanggay for LWUA-Quezon City’s victories.

Paragua, fresh off a highly-successful campaign in the United States, humbled Stephenson Sy for Misamis’ first victory.

Also winning were Paragua’s teammates, Johnnel Balquin, Christian Arroyo and Richilieu Salcedo.

Balquin prevailed over Jose Ramon Lopez, Arroyo dumped Sonny De La Cruz and Salcedo trounced Ruelito Ong.

Unheralded Bulacan-BYCF, Iloilo Club 64, Inc. , LWUA-B, Department of Agrarian Reform QC, also posted 4-0 shutout victories to share the lead in this 28-team tournament being held in this Eastern Visayas province.