De La Salle University forged a three-way tie atop the women’s division after handing erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines a 3-1 defeat in the third round of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Chess Championships on Thursday at the BGPOP Building inside the University of Santo Tomas campus in Manila.
The Lady Woodpushers joined idle Far Eastern University and UP at four match points apiece, provisionally claiming the top spot with seven board points, ahead of their rivals’ identical 6.5-point tallies.
FEU drew a bye in Round 3.
Lovely Geraldino [2.5/3.0] spearheaded La Salle’s impressive victory on Board 2 with a queen sacrifice that forced rookie Woman National Master Antonella Racasa [1.5/3.0] to resign after 34 moves amid a mating attack.
Juzeia Agne [2.0/3.0] followed suit on Board 3, deploying two rooks on the seventh rank to mount a dangerous attack, win a piece, and defeat erstwhile unbeaten Maryss Caldoza [2.0/3.0] after 48 moves of an English Opening.
Checy Telesforo [2.0/3.0] completed La Salle’s three-board haul on Board 4, sacrificing a rook for a knight to create two powerful passed pawns and secure a 51-move victory over Janice Monsales [0.0/1.0].
UP’s Woman National Master Jerlyn San Diego [3.0/3.0] kept her perfect record intact with a third straight victory, defeating Woman National Master Heart Padilla [0.5/3.0] on the top board to deliver the Diliman-based squad’s lone point of the round.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University broke into the win column with a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory over Adamson University.
Ma. Elayza Villa [2.0/3.0] set the tone on Board 1 with a win over Elaine Antonio [0.0/2.0], while Alphecca Gonzales [1.0/3.0] and Francine Magpily [1.5/3.0] defeated Janna Alindogan [0.0/2.0] and Ma. Kristina Dacuno [0.0/1.0] on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
Yzabelle Nabor [1.0/3.0] drew with Adamson’s Ma. Christina Samarta [0.5/2.0] on Board 2 to complete Ateneo’s tally.
Defending champion National University likewise secured its first win of the season, overpowering host University of Santo Tomas, 3.5-0.5.
Jersey Marticio [2.0/2.0] led the Lady Bulldogs with a victory over Precious Yecla [0.5/3.0] on Board 1, while Sara Dalagan [1.0/2.0] and Kyla Dalagan [1.0/1.0] prevailed over Trina Temple [1.0/3.0] and Princes Oncita [0.0/1.0] on Boards 3 and 4, respectively.
Queen Pamplona [1.0/2.0] held Woman National Master Daren Dela Cruz [2.0/3.0] to a draw on Board 2 to complete NU’s victory.
Round 4 is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at the same venue.
