Far Eastern University seized the solo lead after handing the University of the Philippines a 3.5-0.5 beating in Round 5 of the women’s division of the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Chess Championships on Wednesday at the BGPOP Building inside the University of Santo Tomas campus in Manila.
The Morayta-based squad remained unbeaten with eight match points, moving two points clear of National University and UP, which sit in second and third place, respectively, with six match points each.
On the top board, Woman International Master Ruelle Canino [3.0/4.0] snapped Woman National Master Jerlyn San Diego’s [4.0/5.0] unbeaten streak with a knight fork on the 32nd move that forced a bishop-for-rook exchange. Canino then sealed the victory after 47 moves with an unstoppable mating attack.
Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian [3.5/4.0] followed suit on Board 2, remaining unbeaten in four appearances after sacrificing a bishop to launch a lethal kingside attack that forced UP’s Raiza Mae Locmayoan [0.5/4.0] to resign after 37 moves.
Woman FIDE Master Franchesca Largo [3.5/4.0] added another point for FEU by defeating Woman National Master Antonella Racasa [1.5/4.0] on Board 3 with a checkmate after 42 moves.
Ericka Ordizo [1.5/2.0] completed FEU’s dominant performance by drawing with Janice Monsales [1.0/3.0] on Board 4.
Meanwhile, NU defeated Adamson University, 3-1, to climb to second place after suffering an opening-day loss to UP.
Jersey Marticio [4.0/4.0] and Sara Dalagan [3.0/4.0] delivered the decisive victories for the Lady Bulldogs, beating Elaine Grace Antonio [0.0/4.0] on Board 1 and Janna Alindogan [0.5/4.0] on Board 3, respectively.
Queen Pamplona [1.5/3.0] drew with Ma. Christina Samarita [1.5/4.0] on Board 2, while Kyla Dalagan [2.5/3.0] split the point with Angela Joelle San Luis [1.0/2.0] on Board 4.
In the other matchup, the University of Santo Tomas and De La Salle University battled to a 2-2 draw, leaving the Lady Woodpushers in fourth place with five match points.
Woman National Master Daren Dela Cruz [3.0/4.0] scored UST’s lone victory, defeating Lovely Geraldino [2.5/5.0] on Board 2. La Salle’s Juzeia Agne [3.0/5.0] answered with a win over Christine Faith Tabungar [0.0/2.0] on Board 3.
Precious Day Yecla [1.0/4.0] drew with Woman National Master Heart Padilla [1.5/5.0] on Board 1, while Princes Louise Oncita [0.5/2.0] and Checy Telesforo [2.5/5.0] also split the point on Board 4.
UST remained in fifth place with three match points, ahead of idle Ateneo de Manila University with two, while Adamson remained winless without a match point.
The UAAP collegiate chess tournament will take a break this weekend and resume on Saturday, October 24.
