THE Zamboanga Sultans did very well in the 2021 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) pre-season competition held over the weekend.
The Sultans drew big games from IM Chito Garma and seven-time national executive champion Dr. Jenny Mayor to subdue the Cagayan Kings, 11-10, in their seven-game rapid and blitz duel Garma, one of the country’s strongest IMs, overpowered unheralded Jake Tumaliuan, 2-1, in their two-game mini match .
The 56-year-old standout from University of Manila defeated Tumaliuan in their rapid chess match after losing in their blitz encounter.
“It’s a close match (against Cagayan). Masaya kami nanalo kahit pre-season competition pa lang ito,” said Garma, who is best remembered for winning the Asian Seniors chess championships in Tagaytay City in November, 2018.
Mayor, the former president of the Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) from Romblon, also won his blitz game on board four.
Aside from Garma and Mayor,the other mainstays of the Zamboanga Sultans are playing team owner NM Zulfikar Sali, who manned board two; Zamboanga female champion Sarah Mae Chua, who played board three; and homegrown bets NM Joey Albert Florendo, board five; NM Paulo Florendo,board six; and Jezreel Lopez, board seven.
Team reserves are Alternates Jordan Gadayan of Basilan; United States-based senior player Dwight Dans.
Team captain/coach is AGM Rey Reyes, while team consultants are Albert Yap, Rodrigo Villa, Jr, and Engr. Fletcher Arado.
In other pre-season results, it was Manila over Iloilo, 13-8; Toledo over Antipolo, 12-9; Pasig over Cebu, 11-10; Rizal over Cordova, 13-8; Laguna over Iriga, 15-6; Camarines over Caloocan, 14.5-6.5; Mindoro over Cavite, 13.5-7.5; Negros over Quezon City, 14-7; San Juan over LapuLapu , 19.5 -1.5; Isabela over Palawan, 16-5; and Olongapo over Surigao. 11-7 with one board not played.
PCAP founding president -commisisoner Atty. Paul Elauria said the tournament properof the first-ever play-for-pay chess league will kick off on Jan. 16.
The games are sanctioned by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), headed by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay.
