Far Eastern University secured at least a runner-up finish after notching its eighth win in nine matches, this time against Adamson University, with a score of 2.5-1.5.
The victory allowed them to maintain the top spot after Round 10 of the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Chess Championship at the FEU Tech Gym in Manila on Saturday.
FEU, which improved to 17 match points, is now four match points ahead of the defending champion National University in the race for the title. Ateneo de Manila University remains a distant third with eight match points.
Woman National Master Mhage Sebastien [8/9] remained undefeated on Board 3 by executing a mating attack that forced Adamson’s Jashua Patria [2/9] to resign after 47 moves of a Modern Defense while playing the black pieces.
On Board 2, Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan [7/9] took advantage of Phoebie Arellano’s [2/8] 36th-move blunder in panic time to win a rook and forced resignation by the 41st move for FEU’s second point.
Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas [6/9] then halved the point with Robelle De Jesus [3.5/9] on Board 1 to ensure FEU’s victory as Shaina Romanillos [1/2] succumbed to Christine Hernandez [1/2] on Board 4.
Ateneo firmed its grip on the third spot after taking down University of Santo Tomas, 2.5-1.5, in Round 10.
Jissel Marino [6/8] and Alphecca Gonzales [3/6] each scored a win over Josemier Panol [3/9] and Patricia Bernardo [2/6] on Board 1 and 4, respectively, before Ma. Elayza Villa’s [4/8] split with Princess Oncita [1.5/8] on Board 2 ensured Ateneo’s victory.
Rohanisah Buto [4.5/9] was the lone bright spot for UST after prevailing over Kristine Flores [3.5/8] on Board 3.
University of the Philippines, on the other hand, fell to fourth place after settling for a 2-2 split with De La Salle University.
On Board 1, Jerlyn San Diego [3/7] bounced back from three straight losses with a victory over Checy Telesforo [3/8], but Precious Ferrer [4.5/8] and Geraldine Guyo [2.5/7] split the points with Woman National Masters Francois Magpily [4/8] and Sara Olendo [4.5/8] on Board 2 and 3, respectively.
Woman National Master Rinoa Sadey [4/8] handed UP’s Jarel Lacambra [3.5/6] her first loss on Board 4 to complete the deuce.
Round 11 will commence on Sunday, November 12.
