NCAA Season 101 Chess - Day 1

Punishing blunders, grinding through skirmishes, and playing with complete accuracy until the endgame are the characteristics of a typical NCAA chess game under Standard time controls. Now, the season of chess returns once more with a fresh outlook for the Senior and Junior teams as round 1 kicks off at the Pearl Manila Hotel. We’ll be covering the highlights of the seniors and juniors.

Seniors

Coming on top of the leaderboards with a shock sweep, the LPU Pirates bring on their top form as they wipe the floor with the Arellano Chiefs, with a total of 4-0. Armed with NCAA veterans, the highly-experienced team grinded down the Chiefs to start the tournament as the sole leaders.

The UPHSD closely trails behind with a similarly outstanding result, having outmaneuvered the San Sebastian Stags with a 3.5-0.5 victory. Their players on Boards 1, 3, and 4 put up the necessary points to edge out the AU squad. 

Meanwhile, the defending champions, San Beda Red Lions, cut down the Letran Knights with a 3-1 record, only suffering a loss on Board 4.

Similarly, the Benilde Blazers blitzed past the EAC Generals with a resounding 3-1 win, but also incurred a setback on their 4th board. 

An all black victory for both JRU Bombers and Mapua Cardinals as they settle with a draw on a 2-2 result, both receiving knockbacks with the white pieces. 

Juniors

A four-way tie had occurred on the Juniors division, as the SBU Red Cubs, Perpetual Junior Altas, EAC Brigadiers, and Mapua Red Robins hold 3 points each, tying on T-1. 

The Red Cubs curbstomped the Letran Squires, penetrating through the rookie squads' defenses with a decisive 3-1 match victory, to which the Squires could only respond with a retaliation on Board 2. 

Securing the second tiebreak for T-1, the Junior Altas cruised through boards 1-3, bumping into a roadblock on Board 4 against the San Sebastian Staglets, 3-1. 

The Brigadiers and the Red Robins settled on the third and fourth tiebreaks, as they trampled past the LSGH Greenies and JRU Light Bombers, respectively.

In a tightly contested match, the LPU Junior Pirates manage to give the Arellano Braves the slip as they make a breakthrough on Board 4, to wrap up their opening campaign with a 2.5-1.5 triumph. 

Upsets and clutches will unfold as the rounds go on, so for more Chess updates, check out the NCAA Philippines website and socials to keep up with the strategic combat.