After getting a slot in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP), the Checkmates won the cash-rich Cagayan de Oro Inter-Team "Tatluhan" Chess Tournament last March 26-27 at the Atrium of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.
The Checkmates trio of Christian Arroyo, Lennon Hart Salgados, and Abner Cantonjos went undefeated after six rounds to win the tourney and the P50,000 cash prize.
The Checkmates scored 12 points to stamp itself on top of the competition against some of the top chess players in the Philippines.
The team got a slot in the quarterfinals earlier after beating Iriga City Oragons, 11.5-9.5, last March 23, 2022.
The win allowed the Checkmates to get the fifth spot in the quarterfinals in the PCAP Southern Division.
Checkmates playing owner Arena Grand Master Rey Urbiztondo is very happy with their quarterfinals slot since their hard work had paid off this year.
"Our Top 5 spot in the South is an achievement against stronger teams. We then calculated our last three games versus Camarines and Toledo's rivals. We were able to hit the prediction that we would beat them. Because in the last round 3 rounds, both of them will have to meet Davao, while no longer for us. Thus, they all lost to Davao, and we made perfect in the last three games," Urbiztondo said.
Earlier, the Checkmates was given the Team Sportsmanship Award by the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) for its tournament last year.
The team got the award for being excellent and fair in all its matches last year.
Urbiztondo told NewsFort that his team this year is composed of the core group of UAAP grand slam champions of FEU Tamaraws.
Aside from the Tamaraw players, who mostly hail from Cagayan de Oro City, the team will also have former Lady Board one player of Adamson University alongside former Adamson University standouts FM Vince and Tyrone Alaan.
The FEU standout players are Lennon Hart Salgados, Alfred Rapanot and Antonio Chavez, John Marel Morazo of Tarlac City is also part of the team, Marnel Batulan-Romero, former Adamson’s top board, Aubrey De Guzman-Gallardo, former top board of UP Diliman team, Fr. Vic Arellano, former Liceo de Cagayan champion, Engr. Joselito Serna, of Surigao City,Fide Master Vince Alaan, 1986 Asian Under 16 Champion, Antonio Chavez, Tyrone Alaan, Cyrus Donasco, Tandag and Rogelio Canoy of Surigao City.
As the owner of the Checkmates, Urbiztondo is giving a form of livelihood to some chess players in Mindanao in the PCAP tournaments.
Aside from Urbiztondo, the team is managed by Engr. Dodjie Morales and sponsored by Congressman Robert Ace Barbers.
PCAP is the first professional chess league in the Philippines. The players are provided with salary and incentives from the team they play, just like in other professional sports like the PBA.
Urbiztondo is also busy organizing chess tournaments to allow Mindanao players to participate and earn if they win. (Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Photo: Rey C. Urbiztondo FB page
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