Black Weapon Masters, Blue Guardians share Chess supremacy

Dominating the boys and girls division respectively, Black Weapon Masters and Blue Guardians shared the Championship title of the Chess Competition as part of the Cluster D Unity E-Games and Festival of Talents 2021, Feb. 20 and 27.

On the way to the final coup: Novilla leads chess tourney in Boys Division

Elijah John Novilla from Black Weapon Masters chased the crown all the way to the championship match and claimed it.

As the tournament commenced, each player exhibited enthusiasm and thirst for victory. Novilla escaped from strong pressure to remain in the lead after consecutive rounds over the virtual chessboard, claiming the top spot in the category where he belongs as he continued his journey to the finals.

At the finals, Novilla competed against top students from other categories who also wanted to be the champion. He managed the game to beat all his opponents with his sturdy defense, sharp eyes, and coordination of his eyes and mind that caused him to achieve the victory. Moreover, John David Castillo from Orange Mages made it in the 2nd place while Cartchie Poevy Geronimo from Gray Gunners grabbed 3rd place.

“I’m so shocked when I won the game and I didn’t expect that,” Novilla expressed in an interview. He then gave a piece of advice to the students who want to learn how to play chess, “I-analyze nila ‘yong position and magbasa sila ng may kaugnayan sa chess. Palagi nilang isipin kung ano ang dapat ititira.” (“Analyze the position [of the chess pieces] and read something related to chess. Always think of what piece to move.”)

Salvador secures chess championship in Girls Division

Channeling composure and concentration, Ericka Mae Salvador of Blue Guardians secured the championship after conquering the virtual chessboard, outranking opponents coming from the same category and eventually crushing the champions from other categories.

Next to her at 2nd place is Yellow Elementalists’ player Jene Caryl Parala and at 3rd place is Purple Assassins’ representative Rochan Morcilla.

The Chess Tournament is divided into three categories, and each category is further divided into two divisions, the Boys and Girls Division. Category 1 is for Grades 7 and 8 participants, Category 2 is for Grades 9 and 10 contenders, and Category 3 is for the Senior High School (SHS) representatives. Thus, each team has to send a total of six chess players.

Three players are awarded in both divisions in each category. See the results below for the full list of winners.

Category 1 (G7&8)

Boys Division

Champion: Cartchie Peovy Geronimo (Gray Gunners)

1st runner-up: Federiko Ivanne Cruz (Red Targemen)

2nd runner-up: Matthew Marcos (Brown Wrestlers)

Girls Division

Champion: Jene Caryl Parala (Yellow Elementalists)

1st runner-up: Delaney Sablaza (Gray Gunners)

2nd runner-up: Summer Dayon (Pink Archers)

Category 2 (G9&10)

Boys Division

Champion: Elijah John Novilla (Black Weapon Masters)

1st runner-up: Rio Araki (Orange Mages)

2nd runner-up: Timothy Magtibay (Yellow Elementalists)

Girls Division

Champion: Ericka Mae Salvador (Blue Guardians)

1st runner-up: Jang Geum Pentenio (Black Weapon Masters)

2nd runner-up: Samantha Tabanao (Yellow Elementalists)

Category 3 (SHS)

Boys Division

Champion: John David Castillo (Orange Mages)

1st runner-up: John Kiel Maldonado (Pink Archers)

2nd runner-up: Aldre Rhexx Abiog (Blue Guardians)

Girls Division

Champion: Rochan Morcilla (Purple Assassins)

1st runner-up: Shannen Esporlas (Pink Archers)

2nd runner-up: Jehan Hadjinoor (Blue Guardians)

Battle of the Champions

Boys Division

1st place: Elijah John Novilla (Black Weapon Masters)

2nd place: John David Castillo (Orange Mages)

3rd place: Cartchie Poevy Geronimo (Gray Gunners)

Girls Division

1st place: Ericka Mae Salvador (Blue Guardians)

2nd place: Jene Caryl Parala (Yellow Elementalists)

3rd place: Rochan Morcilla (Purple Assassins)

#

report‌ ‌by:‌ ‌Jerry‌ ‌Bombane‌ ‌(Editor-in-Chief)‌