TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- Davao City’s John Ray Batucan and Dhona Yngayo demolished their respective rivals to clinch board gold medals at the close of the Prisaa Davao Regional Meet chess competition at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex clubhouse Tuesday.
Batucan, a varsity scholar of University of Mindanao (UM)-Davao City Prisaa outclassed Rodel Jadraque of Cor Jesu College of Digos-Davao del Sur Prisaa in 37 moves of a French Opening in their Board 1 encounter.
The Toril-based Batucan will lead the region college men’s chess team to the National Prisaa Games in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on April 21 to 28.
Joining him are his teammates board 2 champion Rafael Dela Torre and board 4 gold medalist Raymart Silao and Davao del Sur’s board 3 titlist Raymund Vistal.
In the distaff side, Yngayo bested Cor Jesu College of Digos player Jesse Mae Macaganda, 1.5 -0.5, in two rounds in board 1.
Yngayo, who first defeated the Cor Jesu College in 62 moves of an English Opening, drew their second round match.
“She’s a defensive player. Naglisod ko sa iyaha pero ningkamot ko mag-draw sa second round (Playing her was tough but I will do my best to even our second round game). I will play to win,” the 20-year-old fifth-year Architecture student of UM Davao said in an interview after the first round. She only needed the draw to secure the gold.
Davao City and Davao del Sur equalized 2-all in the first round but the latter edged the Dabawenyos, 2.5-1.5.
Yngayo will try to snatch a gold in her final National Prisaa year. She failed to qualify in Iba last year.
In secondary division, Davao City bets Wesley Jovan Magbanua was unopposed in board 1 along with girl players Honey Grace Buenafe (board 1) and Rosella Vienna Guevara (board 2). They earned tickets to the Bohol nationals along with Digos entry Princess Sulpot (girls board 3), Jasper Seth Erum (boys board 2), Jasper Jay Erum (boys board 3) and Charles John Fiel (boys board 4).