Veterans dominate Legal Moves II chess showdown in Roxas City

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The veteran team, led by Capiz’s first National Master, Francis Jocson, topped the Attorney Simplicio “Otay” Bermejo Jr.-Legal Moves II, a Capisnon All-Star Chess Team Showdown, with 23.5 points at the event center of SM City Roxas on Sept. 20.

Each team fielded five players who competed twice in every matchup, once with the black pieces and once with the white pieces, for a maximum of 10 points per matchup and 30 points overall.

The teams represented four age groups: youth, ages 16–29; stars, 30–45; veterans, 46–59; and vintage, 60 and older.

In the opening round, the youth team outscored the vintage squad, 6–4, while the veterans routed the stars, 8–2.

In the second round, the youth defeated the stars, 7–3, while the veterans overwhelmed the vintage team, 9–1.

The results gave the veterans 17 points and the youth 13 heading into their final matchup, while the stars and vintage teams each had 5 points.

In the final round, the stars defeated the vintage team, 7.5–2.5.

The veterans then relied on their experience to beat the youth, 6.5–3.5, and secure the championship with 23.5 points.

Jocson finished with a perfect 6 points and was named Most Valuable Chess Player of the tournament.

Jocson became Capiz’s first National Master in 1999 after a strong performance at the Philippine Inter-City and Province Chess Championship in Cagayan de Oro City, where he defeated five national masters.

Final standings

Veterans — 23.5 points: NM Francis Jocson, Francisco Lamayo Jr., AIM Felixberto Baguyo Jr., Allan Tutica, and Anthony Arcangeles.

Youth — 16.5 points: Arnamel John Gallegos, Glenn Mark Lagulay, Axl Jeed Verjes, Abraham Clint Pontino, and Prince Arron de la Torre.

Stars — 12.5 points: AIM Michael Falsis, AIM Roel Bryan Alsagon, AIM Ronel Bryle Alsagon, John Lester Cadeliña, and Mark Christian Magbanua.

Vintage — 7.5 points: Rene Cabataña, Omer Placer, Joesel Tumanon, Nelson Deita, and Ben Billones.

(Legend: NM — National Master; AIM — Arena International Master)