VISITING players stunned the hometown bets as they took the lead in the first day of the 3rd Boy “Chessmoso” Pestaño Memorial Chess Cup Tatluhan Rapid Tournament on Saturday night, Oct. 19, 2019, at the Barracks Chess Club in Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

The Noah Declan Chess Team of Bohol Province and the Pinoy Chess Store of Negros Occidental shared the lead in the team standings with 8.0 points after the first four rounds.

Playing for the Noah Declan Chess Team are Norman Longjas, Glicerio Pardillo Jr. and Genesis Apog, while the Pinoy Chess Store is represented by Bryle Arellano, Eric Abanco and Romeo Sadia III.

The defending champions Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (Cepca) A, meanwhile, stayed within striking distance with 7.0 points. The Cepca A players are Venancio Loyola, Arnolito Cadiz and Amado Olea.

Cepca B shared the third spot with Team Bachelors and Progress Marketing.

Trailing them are Sagay City Chess Club A, Split Second, Triple Lima, Bitoon, CDO Veterans Move, University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars Team A and EVC with 6.0 points apiece.

The opening ceremony on Saturday was attended by Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, who did the ceremonial moves with Cepca president Jerry Maratas.

The teams are playing the last five rounds as of press time.

The champion team will pocket P50,000, while the second to fifth placers will take home P20,000, P10,000, P7,000 and P5,000, respectively. (RSC)