DEFENDING women’s champion National University inched closer to Far Eastern University for the top spot after the Lady Bulldogs nabbed a 2.5-1.5 win over the Lady Tamaraws in the third round of the UAAP chess tournament Wednesday at the FEU Diliman Sports Complex.

NU upped its total to 6.5 pts after just two matches, just half a point behind league-leading FEU, which has seven points.

Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido (Board 2) outwitted fellow master WNM Bea Mendoza with the white pieces in 44-moves of the English opening while Jesca Docena (Board 3) scored an upset win over Candidate Master Divine Grace Luna while playing black, forcing mate by the 45th move of a Sicilian Defense.

The Lady Bulldogs were able to pull it off despite the defeat by reigning MVP WFM Allaney Jia Doroy to the top Lady Tamaraws board player Me Ann Joy Baclayon.

In the men’s division, titleholder University of Santo Tomas topped La Salle, 3-1, to remain on top of the table with 11 points after three rounds.

Brylle Gever Vinluan (Board 2) remained perfect with a 41-move smashing of Daniel John Lemi courtesy of a superior endgame position while Antonio Almodal III (Board 4) made a successful debut for the Growling Tigers, taking a win after 51-moves of the Sicilian Defense against Jester Sistoza.

Julius Gonzales and Lee Roi Palma settled for draws in Boards 1 and 3, respectively, to preserve UST’s undefeated streak.

Season 84 runner-up University of the Philippines settled for a 2-2 split anew, this time against Ateneo to remain a distant second with seven points.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado