With one game remaining Iloilo Kisela Knights again put a dazzling show in the ongoing Professional Chess Association of the Philippines after winning two games on Friday, March 19.
IKK easily defeated Cordova, 17.5-3.5, before hammering Iriga, 14-7. With the victory, the team stays on top of the overall standing with 29 huge wins and four defeats.
The Iloilo-based professional chess club owned by Leo Sotaridona, the team is now overtaking Northern division’s no. 1 team San Juan in the overall standings.
Kisela Knights did not waste away the time in the first match after they ruled both Rapid and Blitz in dominating performances, 12 and 5.5 respectively.
GM Joey Antonio Jr., NM Cesar Mariano, NM John Michael Silvederio, and Dennis Bernas led the assault and stayed unblemished in both Rapid and Blitz.
The team will have one game remaining as they seek to continue its spectacular winning streak during the quarterfinals when it begins next week Wednesday, March 24, 2021.
For Sotaridona, their preparation for the playoffs started way back several weeks ago since the likely contenders, e.g., top three in each division, are getting obvious.
“Having encountered the contenders at least once and observed their playing styles with other teams, these information together with the psychology of the games and different strengths of different boards, the team sets up a plan that maximizes the likelihood of passing the cut-off score points, Sotaridona said.
Other factors that need to be achieved, according to him are controlling like being physically conditioned – getting enough sleeps, eating healthy food regularly, regular exercise, minimizing stress and other unnecessary activities – are important to consider.
For Silvederio, the play offs will be a make or break for the team as they hope to win the title.
“More on checking kag review sa games sang kontra namun kay kaagi naman namun sila kontra ligad, kag pag analyze sa possible nga change sang board assignments. We also consider ang paglain sang opening preparations kay basi maprepare man kami sang kontra namun kag nag analyze sang possible previous games man namun,” he added.IMT
