By June Ace G. Esteban
Scan, strategize, and conquer.
Posting the only unblemished record from seven matches, Far Eastern University (FEU) Woodpushers swung their horns in full-motion against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers and University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors to eke out the right to be on top of the UAAP Season 72 Chess wars last January 31 at the Tan Yan Kee Student Center in UST.
The Lady Tamaraws spearheaded the Sunday blockbuster after a no-sweat annihilation over UE, 4-0, and rest on top of the standings with 17.5 points in six matches.
Whereas, the Men’s squad had to clash with the Tigers in the edge of predation before coming out victorious, 2.5-1.5, and share the winners’ peak with UST at 20 markers apiece in seven matches.
Board generals
Fighting with their longest and hardest fight yet, the green and gold opened with a truce between FEU’s Sheider Nebato and Robatsch Defence in board two.
But a catastrophic mistake by Antonio Chavez, Jr. in his 31st move of the queen’s pawn game led to his loss when he moved Rc8 against Patrick Florendo’s Qc7, giving UST a free meal with QxRd6 on the 32nd move.
With the Tigers needing one more win to nail the coffin, Team Captain Lyndon Sombilon of FEU rose up the ranks to dismember Alberto Florendo with a king’s pawn opening attack in board one.
On the women’s division, Rainier Senora pushed through a victory against UE’s Mersky Perque with Nimzovich defense while Marshall Gambit and Jedara Docena ousted Chrizel Yson using king’s pawn opening. Rulp Ylem Jose clobbered Janine Saquing with King’s Indian and East Indian defense as Jenny Rose Palomo ousted Jessica Visca with Reti opening.
“Kakabahan ‘yung mga kalaban, saka mas malaki ‘yung chance na manalo talaga tayo, parang pahiwatig na kasi ‘yung first round kung sino talaga magcha-champion (We have a bigger chance of winning because the first round could be a basis of who will be the champion),” Women’s Team Captain Jose said.
On the sixth match held last January 30, the Men’s squad won via a 4-0 steamrolling over lowest-rated Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) as their counterparts leveled the playing board with 2-2 against UST.
FEU Coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales said that it will be more difficult in the second round because the opponents have an idea of how each player reacts to moves.
However, he emphasized that with the unceasing support of the FEU athletic department and continuous training and dedication, they will be able to surpass the upcoming challenges.
“[I expect] that their next game will always be their best game,” he stressed.