THE TEAM of Bobby Pacquiao, backstopped by the Aton brothers, stunned Pacman A, 2.5-1.5, at the start of the 2nd Manny Pacquiao Random Chess Championship Monday at SM General Santos City.
Led by board 1 player Arnel Aton, the victory of Pacquiao’s team overshadowed the win of International Master Rolando Nolte, the Pacman A team’s Board 1 player.
The Jardin del Roca team from Davao of Cirilo Enopio also shocked the Ronald Llavanes-led Pampanga A team, 2.5-1.5.
There were 37 matches at the start of the tournament, which drew a record number of 74 teams or roughly 300 players.
“This only proves that in random chess, it would be difficult to draw a game, because everybody is given a chance to be creative and experiment on their moves,” said Grandmaster Eugene Torre, who heads the organizing MP Chess Players Organization.
Among the participants are Olympians and GMs Joey Antonio, Jayson Gonzales, Darwin Laylo, Ronald Dableo and Woman IM Janelle Mae Frayna.
The tournament offers a total cash prize of P1.5 million put up by Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, with the top team receiving P400,000 and the top individual winner taking home P50,000.
Torre led the opening ceremony, capped by the traditional ceremonial moves between Frayna and 12-year-old Jin Warrren Julon, GenSan’s youngest player.