CHECKMATE!: MCS CHESS PLAYERS MATCH AT ST. CLARA

The Malate Catholic School Chess Team participated in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila Educational System Sports Meet (RCAMES) Elimination Round on March 14, 2024, Thursday at the Library in Sta. Clara Parochial School, Pasay City, Manila.

Written by: Aurora Isabel Madali

Layout by: Francheska Shieniah Rayne Mercado

March 23, 2024 | 2:22 P.M.

The battle for elimination in Cluster 8 and 2 RCAMES schools was only between Malate Catholic School (MCS) and Sta. Clara Parochial School (SCPS). There are two categories for the chess tournament: female and male categories. The MCS Chess Team arrived at SCPS at 7:20 AM and was accompanied by Mr. Remi-Rei Magat and Mr. Dennis Revilla. 

Before the tournament began, Ms. Cecille Caramat announced the guidelines and rules. She also introduced the arbiter for the tournament, Ms. Vienn Borinaga.

The chess teams asked for God’s guidance through a prayer led by Mr. Dennis Revilla. 

A round-robin within 45 minutes, without increment, set for each player to move. The point system was according to who among the pairs of players won per round. The teams switched sides (black and white pieces) every round.

In the first round, 3 players from the MCS female chess team won against 4 players from the SCPS female chess team. In the male category, 2 male players from MCS won against 2 from SCPS.

The second and third rounds were a sticky situation for MCS, as only one female and one male player from each of them won against SCPS. 

For the last round, MCS and SCPS were tied, both having 2 wins and 2 losses in both categories.

Overall, MCS and SCPS have a score of 7-9 in the female category and 6-10 in the male category, respectively.

Despite the defeat the MCS Chess Team faced, the players remained positive as their match was not really flunked. It was a close match in the female category, after all! 

The accompanying teachers also gave words of encouragement and support to the Malatean players, saying that the tournament was not that bad and there is still room for improvement.