THE ATENEO Chess Team opened their University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 84 campaign with a 1-3 loss of the men’s division against host Far East University (FEU) Tamaraws and a 2-2 tie in the women’s division against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons on June 1, at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Gym in Manila City.

The Men’s Team hold a 0-1-0 record after taking the victory in only one board during their showdown against the FEU Tamaraws. The Women’s Team fared marginally better as they finished the day with two stalemates and one win to kick off their season with a 0-0-1 record.

Leading the scoreboards after day one were the University of Santo Tomas with 3.5 points for the men’s division, and a two-way tie between National University and De La Salle University at three points each for the women’s division.  

The Men’s Chess Team had three-year veteran Vince Edralin take the first board, followed by Alexander Santos, Jaime De Veyra, and Joshua Tan at boards two, three, and four, respectively. It was the 21-year-old rookie Tan who brought the unit’s sole victory for the season opener as he outclassed FEU’s Jarvey Labanda in their battle at board four.

Meanwhile, Alexis Oseña, Glesit Tatoy, Laila Nadera, and Kristine Flores facilitated the pieces for the Ateneo Women’s Chess Team against the Fighting Maroons. Tatoy emerged triumphant against her adversary Jee-Ann Barry at the second board, while both Oseña and Nadera secured draws at boards one and three respectively.

The Blue and White look to get into the winning column as both its Men’s and Women’s Teams match up against the Adamson (AdU) Soaring Falcons and Lady Falcons, respectively, on Friday, June 3, 2:00 PM at the FEU Gym in Manila City.