Ateneo de Manila University halted Far Eastern University’s win streak, holding the league leader to a 2-2 draw in Round 8 of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Chess Championships at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila on Saturday.
Despite the draw, the Lady Tamaraws held on to the top spot with 13 match points courtesy of six wins and one draw.
Defending champion National University is a close second with 11 match points while Ateneo improved to third with six match points.
Ateneo’s Jiessel Marino [5/7] led the charge with a resounding comeback as she recovered from a rook down and handed Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas [4.5/7] first loss after 73 moves on Board 1.
But FEU’s Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan [5/7] returned the favor on Board 2 with a 76-move checkmate against Ma. Elayza Villa [3.5/7] before Woman National Master Bea Mendoza [1.5/4] shared the points with Glesit Tatoy [0.5/1] on Board 4 after just 40 moves of the Alekhine Defense.
Kristine Flores [3.5/7] and Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian [6/7] completed the deuce with an arduous 153-move draw on Board 3.
NU is slowly closing the gap with FEU as it dominated Adamson University, 3-1, for its third straight win.
Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy [6/7] and Jesca Docena [4/7] spearheaded NU’s assault after posting wins on Board 1 and 2 against Robelle De Jesus [2/7] and Phoebie Arellano [1.5/6], respectively.
NU’s Natasja Balabbo [5/7] then held undefeated Queenie Samarita [5.5/7] to a draw on Board 3 as Jelaine Adriano [1.5/2] settled for a similar result on Board 4 against AdU’s Jashua Patria [1.5/7].
University of the Philippines, whose last victory came during the opening round of the season, registered its second win after slipping past University of Santo Tomas, 2.5-1.5, to force a log jam in the standings with six match points.
Precious Ferrer [3/6] and Jarel Lacambra [3/4] scored the wins for the Fighting Maroons on boards 2 and 4 while playing against Princess Oncita [1/6] and Patricia Bernardo [2/5], respectively.
Geraldine Guyo [1.5/5] secured UP’s win with a draw against Rohanisah Buto [3.5/7] on Board 3.
Jerlyn San Diego [2/6] was the lone fatality as she fell to UST’s Josemier Panol [3/7] on the top board.
Round 9 will be played on Sunday, November 5.
