GENERAL SANTOS City ― It was a sunny Friday morning here for Misamis Oriental pawnpushers who started on fire in their quest to make a name in the cash-rich Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Tournament.
The well-motivated charges of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter ‘Sr Pedro’ M. Unabia scored five wins and one draw in the Individual Open that attracted strong players from Russia and the neighboring Asian countries.
Fide Master Ellan Asuela, the reigning Ozamiz National Open rapid champion, downed Yreil Josh Hernani with the white pieces after 30 moves of the Carrokan defense encounter.
Aljie Cantonjos, Johnnel Balquin, and Jeriel Manlimbana also registered an easy win against Mico Tanghinan, Diovic Nalam, and Alexander Lagudas, respectively, as their 13-year-old compatriot National Master Keith Adriane Ilar held the veteran Jayson Salubre to a draw.
The elder Allan Cantonjos withstood the longest match of the day that was decided after four hours as he outplayed the grizzled Moctar Ali with white after 91 pushes of the Colle System.
Fellow Misamisnon Antonio Chavez Jr of the Philippine Army almost victimized the Russian International Master Oleg Badmatsyrenov in a complicated Sicilian defense skirmish that ended in a heartbreaking blunder.
“Mora ko’g na psy-war adtong nanghatag siya’g duha ka pawns without justifiable compensation. Insecure iyang King unya mas active akong mga piyesa medyo nikumpyansa ko,” regretted Chavez who missed to calculate a tactical shot by Badmatsyrenov and a chance to deliver the lone upset win of the day.
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