It’s a good start and solid reinforcement for Iloilo Kisela Knights as they acquired four veteran woodpushers during the first draft of Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) over the weekend.

The Iloilo-based professional chess club, founded on Oct. 8, 2020, will be reinforced by Grand Master Joey Antonio, Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia, Ilonggo and National Master Cesar Mariano, and Karl Victor Ochoa.

Twenty-four teams from all over the archipelago took part in the inaugural draft and tournament from PCAP. The draft will go through at least five rounds.

With the new acquisition, Iloilo will be led by GM Antonio who is set to play for Board 1. He was awarded the GM title in 1993. He is affectionately known as “Joey” Antonio or GM Joey. Antonio finished third in the 2009 Asia Continental Chess Championship and became the first player in the Philippines’ history to qualify for the World Cup later in 2009. As of November 2020, his Elo rating was 2421, making him the 14th ranked player in the Philippines and number 2368 in the world.

For Kisela Knights founder and owner, Leo Sotaridona, they are very happy with the turnout as all their picks are highly potential to deliver a win on their respective boards.

“With a good start, we are happy to share the news to the Ilonggos and Guimarasnons. We need a solid support from the Iloilo City government, and provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras. It is a must for a long-term sustainability. These chessers need support as they represent Iloilo and Guimaras. As what we have envisioned, we want to create GMs in the future,” he added.

Woman Fide Master (WFM) Cherry Ann Mejia will play on Board 3 in Lady category. She finished BS-Psychology at De La Salle University and started playing chess at the age of 9. Her brother NM Giovanni Mejia inspired her to play chess. She earned her WFM title at the age of 14 and been teaching personal and online chess class for the past two years. Last year, she represented Philippines in 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAGAMES) and a gold medalist in the 16th ASEAN+ Age-Group Chess Championships in Nanyang Technological University.

“We will start our tourney preparation as quick, making use of the experience of GM Antonio and WFM Cherry Mejia for analysis and strategy against the opponent. Our newly acquired chess software for training and repertoire preparation will play a unique role in tourney preparation. We want to showcase the strength and winning capabilities of our team to gain the must-have support sa from our LGUs, private companies, and local residents and chess enthusiasts Personally, I can’t wait until Jan. 16 to test the playing strength of our picks. We have quite very ambitious goal – at least become division champion,” Sotaridona shared.

National Master (NM) and true-blooded Ilonggo Cesar Mariano will play on Board 4 in Senior category. He earned his NM title in 1993 and became USCF Chess Master in 1997. Currently working at the Iloilo City Hall, Mariano emerged champion in the World Open 2400 Below in USA.

Karl Victor Ochoa, on the other hand will play on Board 2. Ochoa is former champion, HB Global under 2000 category in 2004. The former gold medalist of Batang Pinoy National Championships 1994 resides in Malolos, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, present in the first round draft is Wesley So, a Philippine-born chess player who is now representing the United States. So believes Filipinos have a strong chance in excelling in the sport than in ball games.

“Filipinos should play chess. Our natural ability is not for foreign ball sports,” said the 27-year-old So in his message during the PCAP’s online drafting.

So had actually walked the talk after he took the world champion in Fischer Random last year, claimed his second US crown last October and slew reigning world standard, rapid and blitz champion Magnus Carlsen a month ago.

The country had also produced a world champion for the physically disabled in Sander Severino this year and world kiddies blitz champion in Mark Paragua two decades ago.

So also lauded the PCAP, chaired by Michael Angelo Chua with Atty. Paul Elauria as commissioner, for coming up with a novel idea of establishing the country’s first pro chess league.

Moreover, nine GMs headed by living legend Eugene Torre, who was tabbed by Rizal, were among the 96 picked by 24 participating teams in the league that unfurls on January 12 next year.

Other GMs chosen were Joey Antonio (Iloilo), Julio Catalino Sadorra (Manila), Mark Paragua (Camarines), John Paul Gomez (Cabuyao), Darwin Laylo (Pasig) Banjo Barcenilla (Cabuyao), Oliver Barbosa (San Juan) and Roland Salvador (Pasig).

“Asta lng sa apat ka pick ang first part sang drafting. The second part is to be scheduled probably early this week because the remaining boards (5, 6, and 7) are dedicated for home grown or local players. It is already certain who our players gonna be,” he added.

For Board 5, the team will be assigning National Master John Michael Silvederio from Oton, Iloilo; Board 6, National Master Fritz Brian Porras from the province of Guimaras; and Board 7, Dennis Bernas, also from Iloilo.

“We are quite happy with the outcome of the first draft – we were able to successfully picked the players we were targeting to pick. A few of our players are underrated like Karl Vikto Ochoa and John Michael Silvederio. Our lineups for the home grown boards 5-7 are quite solid with two national masters and one (Michael and Fritz) and one non-master (Dennis) but with almost similar strength as the other two,” shared Sotaridona.IMT