ILOILO Kisela Knights showed too much class in beating Palawan Queen’s Gambits, 20-1, and Mindoro Tamaraws, 14.5-6.5, to forge a three-way tie for the lead in the Southern Division in the 2021 PCAP-GM Wesley So Cup online chess championships over the weekend.

GM Rogelio Antonio,Jr. outduelled WGM Padmini Rout, and GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan defeated WIM Shania Mae Mendoza to power the Kisela Knights to a near sweep of the Queen’s Gambits.

NM Cesar Mariano bested WNM Carmelita Abanes, Dennis Bernas downed WIM Mikiee Charlene Suede, NM John Michael Silvederio nipped WIM Catherine Pereña-Secopito and l Fritz Bryan Porras overpowered Marife dela Torre to underscore Iloilo’s dominant showing.

WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego drew with WFM Cherry Ann Mejia in rapid for Palawan’s lone point.

Coupled with its equally impressive win over Mindoro, Iloilo moved into a share of top spot with Camarines Soaring Eagles and Cordova Dutches Dagami Warriors at 20-5 win-loss records.

Camarines, bannered by GM Mark Paragua, swept Zambonga Sultans, 12-9, and Toledo City Trojans, 11-10, while Cordova, led by GM Nitzan Steinberg, overpowered Surigao Checkmates, 18.5-2.5, but lost to Negros Kingsmen,7-14.

Elsewhere, San Juan Predator outplayed Antipolo Cobras, 13-8, and Quezon City Simba’s Tribe, 15-6, to keep the solo lead in the Northern Division with 23-2 record.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda outwitted CM Christy Lamiel Bernales, IM Ricardo de Guzman blanked IM Ronny Gunawan and Narquingel Reyes humbled USNM Rodolfo Panopio to lead the Hubert Estrella-mentored Predators to another victory.

USNM Jose Aquino crushed NM Michael Gotel to save the day for Antipolo of NCFP director Binky Gaticales.

Caloocan Load Manna Knights defeated Rizal Towers, 15-6, and Pasig Pirates, 15.5-5.5 to join the Manila Indios Bravos in second to third places with 21-4 slates.

PCAP All-Filipino champion Laguna Heroes also completed a double celebration by beating Manila, 11.5-9.5, and Isabela Knight Raiders, 14-7, behind the efforts of Ukrainian import GM Kiril Shevchenko and GM Rogelio Barcenilla,Jr.

Games June 30:

Round 26 — Quezon vs. Antipolo, Pasig vs.Rizal, Olongapo vs. San Juan, Manila vs. Caloocan, Laguna vs. Cagayan, Isabela vs. Cavite, Surigao vs. Camarines, Palawan vs. Toledo, Negros vs. Zamboanga, Mindoro vs. Cebu, Lapu-Lapu vs. Cordova, Iriga vs. Iloilo.

Round 27 — Antipolo vs. Pasig, Quezon vs. Olongapo, Rizal vs. Manila, Laguna vs. San Juan, Caloocan vs. Isabela, Cagayan vs. Cavite, Camarines vs. Palawan, Surigao vs. Negros, Toledo vs. Mindoro, Lapu-Lapu vs. Zamboanga, Cebu vs. Iriga, Cordova vs. Iloilo.