NCAA: Daluz strikes for Letran in online chess
FIDE Master Christian Mark Daluz had a checkered NCAA juniors chess career, winning two championships for Letran to go with a season MVP award.
His latest accomplishment is very much different compared to previous campaigns, as the tournament migrated online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite all the tremendous challenges of playing virtual chess, Daluz was able to conquer it all to end his final year with the Squires with a bang.
It was also very special for Daluz, as all of his matches were aired on national television via the league’s new partner GMA’s GTV Channel 11.
“Ako kasi, familiar na po ako sa online tournaments. Mostly kasi nagiging problema po eh iyong internet connection po talaga,” said Daluz.
In his build-up to the competition, Daluz’s stint for the Camarines Soaring Eagles in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines helped him a lot.
That resulted in completing a perfect 5-0 campaign, capped by an impressive gold medal match win over Lyceum of the Philippines University’s Leonel Escoto.
“Sinabay ko na din po sa yung pag-prepare sa NCAA. Mostly openings and pag-solve ng puzzles,” said Daluz.
A Bulan, Sorsogon native, Daluz credited Letran coach National Master Roland Joseph Perez and his teammates for his high school success.
