Joey Vincent C. Motel | February 19, 2022
The Tacloban Vikings suffered successive humiliating defeats against superior rivals as their baptism of fire in the 2nd Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) waged on.
After securing their victories over the Camarines Soaring Eagle and the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chess Association, the rookies of the country’s first professional chess league fumbled against the Toledo City Trojans (4-17) and the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates (5-16) in their scheduled assignments last February 5.
*STANDING AS OF FEBRUARY 19, 2022*
In their next outing in February 9, the Vikings suffered another drubbing against the powerhouses and Southern Division leaders Iloilo Kisela Knights (3.5-17.5) and the Negros Kingsmen (2-19). Against Iloilo, the Vikings have no answer to the powerful troika of GM Rogelio Antonio Jr, United States chess champ Karl Viktor Ochoa and Rolly Parondo, Jr. The miseries continued against the Kingsmen bannered by the Philippine Blitz King FM David Elorta and Ted Ian Montoyo.
Haven’t fully recovered from mental torture against their much superior opponents, the greenhorns suffered another thrashing when the tournament’s second round started last February 12.
In their first match, the Vikings suffered a 6.5-13.5 beating from the Quezon City Simba’s Pride before succumbing to league-leading Pasig City King Pirates, 3-18. The King Pirates was bannered by 2019 ASEAN Age-Group U-18 winner Eric Labog Jr., WFM Sherily Cua, IM Cris Ramayrat Jr. and GMs Mark Paragua and Darwin Laylo.
The Vikings continued to grip at the 11th place in the Southern Division with 2 wins against 11 losses.
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