Defending champion Far Eastern University – Diliman claimed the top spot on the opening day of the UAAP Season 86 Boys’ Chess Championships by dominating Adamson University with a 3.5-0.5 victory at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila on Saturday.
Jerish John Velarde [1/1], Oscar Joseph Cantela [1/1], and Lemmuel Jay Adena [1/1] secured separate wins against Adamson’s Jacob De Jesus [0/1], Dustin Herrero [0/1], and Robert Christian Palisoc [0/1] on Boards 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Franklin Lloyd Andes [1/1] completed FEU-D’s undefeated opening day with a draw on Board 1 against Joshua Roque [0/1].
Meanwhile, Ateneo High School began a promising Season 86 campaign with a 3-1 victory over De La Salle Zobel.
Arena Candidate Master Radamanthus Batnag [1/1], Luis Gabriel Gutierrez [1/1], and Arena Fide Master Marc Justinn Fua [1/1] all secured wins in their matches against DLSZ’s Michael John Dogelio [0/1], Paolo Miguel De Vera [0/1], and James Karl Vinluna [0/1] on Boards 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Tyrhone James Tabernilla [1/1] prevented a shutout loss by defeating Ateneo’s Bryan Federick Magugat [0/1] on Board 1.
On the other hand, with defending champion FEU-D receiving a bye on the opening day, Adamson University shone in the UAAP Season 86 Girls Chess Championship with a 4-0 shutout victory over De La Salle Zobel.
God Grace Morales [1/1] secured the quickest victory for FEU-D, forcing mate by the 22nd move against Zuri Navarro [0/1] using the Indian Game: Przepiorka Variation on Board 4.
Florence Isabedra [1/1] also achieved a checkmate on Board 1 after 54 moves in a Giuoco Piano against Sarah Sophia Cabodil [0/1]. Lira Placer [1/1] and Ma. Christina Samarita [1/1] added to FEU-D’s wins with checkmates against Fiorela Marinduque [0/1] and Francesca Icay [0/1] on Boards 2 and 3, respectively.
Season 85 runner-up Nazareth School of National University also secured their first win with a close 2.5-1.5 decision over University of Santo Tomas.
Sara Dalagan (Board 2) [1/1] and Heart Padilla (Board 4) [1/1] emerged victorious over Marjeri Janapin [0/1] and Mecel Angela Dagut [0/1], leading NSNU’s performance. Lexie Hernandez’s [0.5/1] draw on Board 1 with Precious Day Yecla [0.5/1] secured the win for FEU-D.
Nathalie Liscano [1/1] secured UST’s only win against the defending champion by defeating Juzeia Agne [0/1] on Board 3.
Round 2 for both the Boys and Girls divisions is scheduled for October 15.
