Tagaytay, Phl-A off to big start in KL chess tiff

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Tagaytay City made its presence felt in the 10th Malaysian Chess Festival Saturday with a decisive 4-0 win over Chung Ling X in the first round at the Cititel Mid Valley, Cititel Hotel, Midvalley Megamall.

Roel Abelgas, Rhobel Legaspi, Edmundo Gatos and Ali Branzuela hurdled their respective rivals to lead the Tagaytay team to a rousing triumph at the start of the annual competition organized by the Malaysian Chess Federation.

Abelgas whipped Lim Chun Kai, Legaspi, a chess teacher  and Philippine Army mainstay subdued Ang Zhen Yuan, while Gatos, a national coach, crushed Lim Winshen. Branzuela, of PNP, outclassed Jason Teh Chee Yung.

“We are looking forward to surpass our last year’s runner-up performance,” said Abelgas,  head coach of the De La Salle Health Sciences Institute and San Beda Alabang.

Tagaytay has four points, the same output of last year’s third place Sol Marfori, Philippines-A, which also blasted Polgar Fighters, 4-0, in the match point system format.

Sol Marfori, Philippines-A, bannered by GM elect Ronald Dableo, FM Leonardo Carlos, Ivan Gil Biag and Li Tao, whipped Polgar Fighters made up by Elson Tho, Dars Hevinthanan, Aden Charles and Ng Jun Feng, respectively.

“ We hope to perform well in this event,” said UST head coach Dableo.

“Malaki pag asa mag champ basta kasihan ng suwerte lalu na’t match point system ang format sa Swiss event,” added FIDE chess trainer Carlos, a Meralco employee and head coach of UP chess team. 

Also impressive is Sol Marfori, Philippines chess team B of GM Darwin Laylo, FM Deniel Causo, Bength Largo and Marvin Ting who clobbered Penang Cloba headed by Lee Weng Soon, Wee Yuan , Toh Yew and Charlie Wong Chong.

 The Jaya Kumar backed up KL Chess Kids A of IM Oliver Dimakiling, FM David Elorta, NM Roberto Suelo Jr. and Michael Palma, meantime, waylaid Kids of Chess of Chong Hui Lim, Lim Zhi Thong, Loo Pui Yi and Tara Tatiana.

Defending champion Quezon City chess team anchored by 12-time national open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. failed to participate in this year’s edition.