S87 Chess Tournament recap

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Chess Standings

Men Match Pts (Board Pts)

UST 14.0 (26.0)

UP 11.0 (19.5)

FEU 9.0 (18.5)

DLSU 9.0 (16.5)

Ateneo 4.0 (11.0)

ADU 1.0 (4.5)

Women Match Pts (Board Pts)

FEU 16.0 (28.0)

Ateneo 12.0 (23.5)

NU 12.0 (20.5)

DLSU 12.0 (20.0)

UP 7.0 (16.5)

UST 5.0 (13.5)

ADU 2.0 (10.0)

UAAP Season 87 High School Chess Standings:

Boys Match Pts (Board Pts)

FEU-D 14.0 (25.0)

UST 8.0 (13.5)

ADU 6.0.0 (11.0)

Ateneo 4.0 (10.5)

DLSZ 0.0 (5.0)

Girls Match Pts (Board Pts)

FEU-D 13.0 (22.5)

UST 7.0 (15.0)

NUNS 6.0 (14.5)

ADU 6.0 (12.0)

DLSZ 0.0 (0.0)

Matches on Wednesday

(Adamson Gym)

2:00 p.m. - NU vs UP (women's)

2:00 p.m. - FEU vs DLSU (women's)

2:00 p.m. - Ateneo vs UST (women's)

Matches on Saturday

(Adamson Gym)

1:00 p.m. - DLSZ vs UST (boys')

1:00 p.m. - FEU-D vs ADU (boys')

1:00 p.m. - UST vs ADU (girls')

1:00 p.m. - FEU-D vs DLSZ (girls')

Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) moved one match point away from securing a four-peat after dominating Far Eastern University (FEU), 3-1, in Round 8 of the UAAP Season 87 Men's Chess Tournament on Sunday at the Adamson gym.

The Tiger Woodpushers now need only a draw in the next round to clinch this season's title, improving to 14 match points.

Chester Reyes (5/6) stole the spotlight in Round 8, prevailing over Dale Bernardo (3.5/6) on Board 2 after 78 moves in a knights endgame.

On Board 3, former league MVP Melito Ocsan Jr. (6/7) secured UST's second point with a victory over Istraelito Rilloraza (3/5) in 61 moves of a Sicilian Defense.

FIDE Master Christian Daluz (7.5/8) and Julius Gonzales (2.5/4) both drew with FEU's FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (5.5/7) and Christian Olaybal (1.5/4), respectively, to seal the commanding victory for UST.

In the women's division, league-leading FEU settled for a 2-2 draw with the University of the Philippines (UP) in Round 11 but remained on top with 16 match points.

On Board 3, Woman National Master Mary Joy Tan (6.5/8) executed a tricky tactical play on the 45th move that forced UP's Precious Ferrer (2/9) to resign shortly after. Francheska Largo (5/6) followed with a bishop sacrifice that rendered Raiza Locmayoan (2.5/8) queenless in the next move, giving FEU its second win on Board 4.

On Board 1, Jarel Lacambra (1.5/5) pulled off an upset over Woman National Master Mhage Sebastian (5.5/9), while fellow Lady Maroon Jerlyn San Diego (5.5/8) snapped Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas' (8/9) eight-game winning streak with a victory on Board 2.

UP also had a successful Round 8 in the men's division, securing a crucial 3-1 win over Ateneo de Manila University to move into solo second place.

FIDE Master Stephen Pangilinan (5/8) dominated Paul Matthew Llanilo (2/8) on Board 1, while rookie Roderenz Adra (5/8) defeated Christopher Kis-ing (3/8) on Board 3.

Undefeated Io Aristotle Calica (6/8) added a third point for UP with a win over Knarf Batislaong (3/8) on Board 4, while Cyrus Francisco (3.5/8) fell to Romeo Canino (3/7) on Board 2.

Meanwhile, Ateneo defeated archrival De La Salle University 3-1 in the women's division, taking over the second spot with 12 match points.

Ma. Elayza Villa (8/10), Lexie Hernandez (8/10), and Alphecca Gonzales (4.5/7) all secured victories for Ateneo against Sara Olendo (3/8), Rinoa Sadey (5.5/9), and Checy Telesforo (4/7), respectively.

Francois Magpily (6/9) was the lone bright spot for La Salle, defeating Kristine Flores (3/8) on Board 1.

National University (NU) also triumphed in Round 10 of the women's division, overpowering Adamson University 3-1 to keep its championship hopes alive with 12 match points.

Queen Rose Pamplona (3/6), Natasja Balabbo (6/8), and Jelaine Adriano (4/5) earned victories over Christine Hernandez (0/5), Zheileen Jain (0/5), and Mariane Flora (0/6), respectively.

Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (5.5/9) sealed NU's victory with a draw against Angela San Luis (1.5/10) on the top board.

In the men's division, La Salle achieved a 4-0 shutout victory over Adamson, keeping its hopes for a podium finish alive in fourth place.

Cyril Telesforo (3/8), Angele Biete (5/7), Jester Sistoza (2.5/4), and Daniel John Lemi (5/8) all earned full points against John Frederick Sunga (0/5), Vince Arellano (1/5), Alfonzo Olendo (0/5), and John Rocel Simon (1/7), respectively.

Round 12 of the women's division is scheduled for Wednesday, while the penultimate round of the men's division will resume on Saturday.

On the other hand, Far Eastern University-Diliman solidified its dominance in the UAAP Season 87 High School Chess Tournaments, virtually securing the championship in both the boys' and girls' divisions at Adamson Gym on Sunday, with two rounds still to play.

The Baby Tamaraws claimed their seventh straight victory with a near-perfect 3.5-0.5 conquest of second-ranked University of Santo Tomas in Round 8, virtually clinching the title.

Oscar Cantela (6/7) led the charge for FEU-D, outmaneuvering Sumer Oncita (2/5) in a 58-move queen and bishop endgame to secure a crucial win on the top board.

On Board 3, Jerish John Velarde (6.5/7) neutralized Karlycris Clarito Jr. (3.5/6) using an e-file passed pawn to force zugzwang after just 35 moves. Meanwhile, Lemuel Adena (6/6) delivered a 48-move checkmate against Jian Rivera (3/6) on Board 4.

UST's John Cyrus Borce (3/4) managed to salvage a draw with Franklin Andes (3.5/5), preventing a shutout for the Tigers.

In the girls' division, Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino (7/7) once again spearheaded FEU-D to a commanding 4-0 victory over Adamson University, securing the high school division titles.

The wunderkind from Cagayan de Oro earned her eighth straight win with a 50-move triumph over Lira Placer (2.5/6) on the top board.

April Joy Carlos (7/7) followed suit with a 30-move checkmate against Adamson's Christen Reyes (3/5), while Franiel Magpily (3/4) showcased her endgame skills by defeating Florence Isabedra (2.5/6) in 63 moves of a knight endgame.

Lyn Getubig (1/2) rounded out FEU-D's sweep, securing a victory over Ma. Christina Samarita (4/6) on Board 4.

Meanwhile, National University - Nazareth School bounced back from its Stage 1 loss to UST with a dominant 3.5-0.5 victory in Round 9, moving up to third place.

Jersey Marticio (5.5/7), Juzeia Agne (3/5), and Kyla Dalagan (3/5) secured the wins for NUNS, outclassing Daren dela Cruz (3/6), Iana Sotaridona (3/6), and Trina Temple (4/5). Sara Dalagan (3/6) earned a draw with UST's Nathalie Liscano (3.5/5).

In another boys' division match, Ateneo High School defeated De La Salle Zobel, 3-1, keeping their hopes alive for a podium finish.

Arena FIDE Masters Ronell Co (3.5/6) and Marc Fua (2/5) clinched crucial victories over James Vinluan (0/5) and Gian Caguiat (0/5), respectively, while Luis Guttierez (3.5/6) ensured Ateneo’s Round 8 win by defeating Nathan Navarro (0/5).

Ateneo's only loss came from Jose Pio Caro (1/5), who fell to Tyrhone Tabernilla (4/6) on Board 1.

Round 9 for both divisions is scheduled for Saturday.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team File Photos