THE ATENEO Chess Team breezed through the chess boards with two stellar finishes in the Women’s and Men’s tournament with a 4-0 sweep over Adamson University (AdU) and a 2.5- 1.5 drubbing against the Far Eastern University (FEU), respectively. Both masterclasses took place earlier this afternoon in the FEU Technology Building in the City of Manila.
Drawing momentum from yesterday’s win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Lady Woodpushers, the Ateneo Women’s Chess Team further annexed their supremacy with a 4-0 whitewash over the Lady Falcons, thanks to the heroics of Jiessel Marino, Ma. Elayza Villa, Alphecca Gonzales, and Glesit Marie Tatoy.
In board two, Marino’s snappier and sharper crunch time maneuvers prompted Zheilleen Jain to concede within 45 moves, whereas Villa wrote a similar story by cornering Robelle De Jesus to make her surrender after 45 movements.
Meanwhile, Gonzales took a more hasty route and subjugated Phoebie Arellano, making her foe surrender within 39 moves. To cap off an immaculate day for the Blue Eagles, Tatoy took matters into her own hands by outfoxing Jashua Patria for a convincing checkmate down the stretch.
In the Men’s division, the Loyola Heights-based squad beat the Morayta-based forces, 2.5 – 1.5, to keep in step with tournament leaders University of Santo Tomas. This victory over the Male Woodpushers was courtesy of the gritty antics of Paul Matthew Llanillo, Janmyl Dilan Tisado, Christopher Khalil Kis-ing, and Tristan Jared Cervero.
Llanillo came out victorious in a well-fought battle of attrition versus Hans Olorsisimo with 72 moves. Following suit was Tisado, who relied on his pre-game preparations for today’s match to read through John Gelua’s board movements and seal the win within 55 movements.
Furthermore, Kis-ing fought a similar battle like his teammate Llanillo, enduring a 74-move tug-of-war versus Jeth Morado. The Blue Eagle Team Captain’s performance was just enough to eke out a draw with only four pieces left on both ends.
On board three, Cervero put up a spirited fightback as he engaged in a lengthy confrontation Christian Olaybal in a 50-move exchange, yet unfortunately fell short in the final ten moves and settled for a loss.
Speaking after the match, Tisado said that he is glad that his preparations before today’s game paid off.
“Napaghandaan ko na talaga ‘yung larong ‘to at ‘yung moves ng kalaban ko. Gumawa ako ng istratehiya batay sa nakaraang mga laro niya (Gelua), gumawa ng plano, at umayon sa aking nagawang strategy,” said the team rookie Tisado.
(I prepared well for the game, as well as how my opponent plays. I made a strategy according to Gelua’s past games, devised a plan accordingly, and my strategy worked out in the end).
Eyeing to build on their newfound momentum, the Men’s Team will square off with the other school in Katipunan, the University of the Philippines Varsity Men’s Team this Saturday, November 18 at 1:00PM in the same arena. Meanwhile, the Women’s Team will lock horns versus archrivals De La Salle University Lady Woodpushers this Wednesday, 1:00 PM, at the same venue.
