By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Iloilo Kisela Knights returned to their dominant form and ended another game day with a sweep in the ongoing 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) third conference tournament last November 14.
After a 1-1 split against Toledo and Davao, the Kisela Knights took care of business and racked back-to-back wins against Cagayan, 13.5-7.5, and Manila, 12.5-8.5.
Iloilo had to dig deep against Cagayan after ending the first seven playing boards with a 3.5-all deadlock that set up a crucial rapid category duel.
The Kisela Knights then answered the call and dominated in the last seven playing boards courtesy of flawless performances from NM Giovanni Mejia and Karl Viktor Ochoa.
Mejia & Ochoa kicked off Iloilo’s blazing start in the rapid category and immediately rewarded the Kisela Knights with a 4-0 lead.
Iloilo then didn’t look back and poured in the attack that helped them balloon their lead to 7-1 in the first four playing boards.
Meanwhile, against Manila, the Kisela Knights finally got back to their usual start and led 4.5-2.5 in the blitz category.
Manila didn’t back down from the challenge and played better in the rapid category after an impressive win in the fourth and fifth playing boards.
However, the Kisela Knights showed their championship pedigree and outdueled Manila in the clutch period led by NM Fritz Bryan Porras in the sixth playing board.
The sweeping PCAP game day helped the Kisela Knights improve to 373 points and remained at the second spot of the Southern division behind Davao.
