Bohol-Matwood chess team, runner-up in Sinulog chessfest

By: Renzkie Ligan

Bohol’s lone entry to the 2012 Cebu City Sinulog Open Chess Team Tournament held over the weekend at the Event Center, SM Mall, Mabolo, Cebu City placed second with 10 match points on the account of 4 victories, two draws and a loss among the 39 participating chess teams.

Bannered by national master Elmer Sumngat at the top board, Bohol-Matwood chess team scored successive wins in the last two rounds against Odilon Badilles led Lapu-lapu pawn pushers (4-0) and Ewolve chessers (3-1) to come out with a good showing after a disastrous finish in the National Inter Cities & Municipalities Chess Championship held in Tanauan City, Batangas last November 4-8, 2011.

Sumngat was awarded the top board player in board 1 with a perfect score of 5 pts in five games. Rose Pharmacy Team B with International Master Rico Mascarinas at the helm scored 11 match points and eked out two other chess teams, Julie’s Bakeshop and Colonade with a higher tie break points to capture the 2012 edition of Sinulog Chess Team event. Fide Master Merben Roque’s University of San Carlos Team A dealt the boholanos their only defeat in the 3rd round (2.5-1.5)

Other members of the Bohol-Matwood chess team were Norman Longjas (5 wins & 2 losses), Rey Gabica (1 win-2 draws-2 losses), Ricardo Ocoy (4 wins-2 draws- 1 loss and Johnny Torralba (3 wins & 1 loss).

Meanwhile, 2012 Blatz & Bolitz Chess Tournament with two categories; Open & All-Student (20-yr old below) will kick off on February 4-5 (Saturday & Sunday). Cash prizes are at stake for the top five winners in each category. Venue of said chess competition will be announced later. For more details, kindly visit Blatz & Bolitz Chess Clubhouse located inside Mcjac Foodcenter, J.S. Torralba corner C. Gallares Sts this city  and look for Jose ‘Boy Metric’ Mitra, club manager