4 Gensan inmates declared world chess champions

Romeo Braceros Jr.

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posted on 3 years ago — updated on 2 seconds ago

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DAVAO CITY--Four male prisoners serving sentences inside the male dorm of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in General Santos City, South Cotabato, just put the Philippines in the global chess map on Monday night after they won as world chess champions.

The male prisoners won the coveted 2nd InterContinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners sponsored by FIDE - International Chess Federation.

The team beat Colombia in their two-game finals series (2.5-1.5 and 3-1).

The team beat 46 countries and 85 teams worldwide to win the coveted crown.

Last year, the team also landed fifth place in the same tournament.

JSupt Reuben D Olivo, Jail Warden of BJMP General Santos male dormitory is pleased and proud of the achievement of his inmates.

"You put the Philippines in the limelight of the World Chess Tournament!" Olivo said on Facebook.

The prisoners who love to play chess got to compete for the coveted championship of the international chess tournament after they topped the semifinal round of 16 teams.

The Burea of Jail Management and Penology Gensan scored 20.5 points in the semis to get the top spot behind chess powerhouse India, which only scored 19.5 points.

The team got the slot to compete in the semifinals after they placed second among the 16 team semifinalists in the elimination round.

The team scored 19.5 points in the elimination round behind top placer UAE, who scored 24 points.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)