Defending champion National University scored a resounding 3.5-0.5 beatdown of Ateneo de Manila University to reclaim the top spot after Round 6 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 Women’s Chess Championships Wednesday at the Far Eastern University Tech Gym in Manila.
The Lady Bulldogs now have 14 points, two full points ahead of second-running Far Eastern University, going into their last match in the first half of the season against cellar-dwelling University of the Philippines.
Reigning Most Valuable Players Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy took her 4th point (Board 1) after Laila Camel Nadera’s 41st move blunder while Woman International Master Kylen Joy Mordido (Board 2) played superbly with the black pieces, conquering Ateneo’s Glesit Marie Tatoy in just 33 moves of the Sicilian Defense.
Jesca Docena (Board 3) then stopped Arena Grandmaster Alexis Anne Oseña, who was on a four-game winning streak, using a bishop sacrifice to unveil a lethal kingside attack that forced the latter to resign after just 36 moves of the French Defense.
Kristine Marie Flores continued her impressive run for Ateneo as she remained undefeated in five appearances, salvaging a draw on Board 4 to avoid a full shutout.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University bounced back from back-to-back losses with a dominant 4-0 sweep of University of Santo Tomas, which was the league leader heading into the round.
Me Ann Joy Baclayon and Rizalyn Jasmine Tejada made up for their Round 4 mishaps by taking the win in Board 1 and 4, respectively.
Woman National Master Bea Mendoza (Board 2) then scored her first season back-to-back wins while Candidate Master Divine Grace re-entered the line up with a win in Board 3.
De La Salle University then secured its second win with a 3-1 conquest of Adamson University to tie UST in the third spot.
Woman Fide Master Samantha Glo Revita (Board 1), Francois Marie Magpily (Board 2), and Irish Yngayo (Board 3) took care of their respective assignments to help keep the Lady Woodpushers of La Salle within striking distance of the league leaders.
