KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato -- Andre Miguel Jorgio and Honey Grace Buenafe of Davao Region stayed unbeaten in their respective divisions after three rounds of the ongoing 2016 National Prisaa Championship chess competition at the Notre Dame of Marbel University on Tuesday, April 5.
Jorgio, a 17-year-old Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Mindanao, outclassed Zejih Angelo Merilles of Mimaropa in 34 moves of their men's chess third round match.
"Nag-blunder s-ya, nakakita ko og opportunity (He made a blunder and I took the opportunity)," said Jorgio who is making his debut in the National Prisaa.
He said that Merilles was a very strong player. "Wala ko mag-expect mudaug pa ko. Siya pinakalisod na kong nakadula sa tulo ka games (I didn't expect I defeated him. He was the toughest opponent I've ever played in the past three rounds)," he said in an interview at the venue.
Jorgio and Merilles were both undefeated when they clashed against each other.
Buenafe, meanwhile, turned back Cordillera Administrative Region's Janeya Carbonell via 38 moves of Sicilian Dragon Variation Opening in secondary girls chess.
"Duha nalang ka rounds akong dulaon unta magtuloy-tuloy na (I will just play two more rounds, I hope I win them)," the Jose Maria College student said in a separate interview.
She hopes to win the gold this year after taking home an individual silver and team bronze in Iloilo City last year.
Buenafe, who is also competing in the Palarong Pambansa, added, "Wala man hinuon ko na pressure. Basta ginahimo nako pagmasipyat ako kalaban gina-take nako ang chance (I don't feel any pressure though. I just capitalized on the opponent's errors)."
Jorgio and Buenafe were leading their categories. Their teammates Mary Jonah Lequin (women's chess) and Bhing Joel Gimony and Earl Rhay Mantilla (secondary boys chess) paced their divisions after second round.