It was unexpected, but the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) will stage its San Miguel Corporation-Ayala Land Open Conference and Iloilo Kisela Knights is ready to start another quest on board.

The online chess tournament, which started Sept. 15 will be a tough competition as foreign chess teams are expected to compete.

For Grandmaster Joey Antonio, he thought Wesley Cup was the most difficult task on his part because he pitted against the import players but then, there’s the Open Conference, which according to him, will be a huge challenge on his part.

“Ako, I do not expect any basta I’ll just try my best effort in every game. For my preparation, think as usual. One game at a time preparations” he added.

IKK is vying for its second consecutive title after they captured the Wesley So Cup championship.

The Leo Sotaridona-owned team hopes to win the title though it’s hard because of foreign teams from China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The team will be bannered by second conference champions Antonio, John Michael Silvederio, Cherry Ann Mejia, Fiona Guirhen, Cesar Mariano, Fritz Bryan Porras, Dennis Bernas, and Karl Ochoa.

For Guirhen, she looks forward to enjoy the game and learn from the conference especially that they will play against foreign teams.

“Kung my vacant time ko or wala ko klase, gahampang ko online kag kis a ga join man ko tournaments. Na look forward ko man nga ang mga teams ready and prepared gid para sa 3rd conference, close fight gid. Kag through this conference, damo pa gid may maging interesado sa chess kag mas ma kilala ang sports and suportaran pa gid ang mga players may it be professionals na or beginners,” she added.

Guimaras pride Porras, on the other hand said prior to the tournament, he already started practicing to develop further.

“A week before mag start ang open conference, ari na ko diri sa city sa Kisela office nga gin rentahan ni Sir Leo, hampang online chess and online tournaments, lantaw sang mga chess opening videos. And looking forward gid nga maka championship liwat ang Iloilo Kisela Knights sa sini nga open conference,” he added.

For Sotaridona, who solidy supports the team from the start, said their preparation for the 3rd conference is simply a continuation of the team’s goal to continue expanding their repertoire, be it in opening, middle or end game.

“Chess, with the advent of high computing power, continues to evolve so that a line considered novelty today may become obsolete in a short while; hence keeping up with new trends by being aware of lines used by world top chess players is a must. With the inclusion of foreign teams, our team will have a chance to test our capability beyond the Philippine border,” he disclosed.IMTSports