MANILA, Philippines—National Master Hamed Nouri and Sander Severino scored stunning victories on boards one and two in the “Armageddon” playoff to lift Bacolod Negros/NICA past heavily favored Mandaluyong City, 3-1, and into the finals of the 2011 National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Chess Team Championship Monday in Tanauan City.
Bacolod will meet Tandag City in the finals.
In the “Armageddon,” the player handling the white pieces is given a 6-5 advantage in time but the player with the black pieces needs only a draw to win.
Hamed, playing with white, beat Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio while Severino, handling black, held noted blitz player Fide Master to a draw. Joel Pimentel secured the win by beating board three gold medalist Francis Glen Panes.
Jose Vito Tapulgo scored the lone point for Mandaluyong.