DAVAO CITY – Davao City’s chess champion will defend his title at the annual 10th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship on February 3 and 4 at the Kidapawan Convention Center in Kidapawan City featuring a Grand Master, GM-elect and International Master.
Jason Salubre of Davao City is seeing action along with last year’s runner-up Henry Roger Lopez of Tagum City, National Master Emmanuel Esperado of Manila, Jhonnel Balquin of Cagayan de Oro, NM Bob Jones Liwagon, NM Alexander Lupian and Macacuna Macala of Davao City.
“This year’s tournament is extra special. GM Darwin Laylo, GM-elect Ronald Dableo and former champion IM Oliver Dimakiling have already confirmed their participation,” said Dr. Ted Calica, president of the organizing Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc.
It is held in commemoration with the 20th founding anniversary of Kidapawan City.
“We are grateful that the city government through Mayor Joseph Evangelista had expressed its utmost support to this annual chess tournament which is awaited by chess players not only in Mindanao but also in the entire Philippines,” Calica said.
Around 100 chess players from all over Mindanao and other parts of the country are expected to participate this year.
The organizers Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc. and Batch 85 – Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association, Inc. have increased the cash prizes.
The champion will get P25,000 cash plus a medal, while the 1st runner-up will get P20,000, 2nd runner-up P15,000 and 3rd runner-up P10,000 with medals.
The 4th to 9th runners up will receive P7,000.00, P5,000.00, P3,000.00, P2,000.00, P1,500.00, P1,000.00 and P500.00.
Special awards and medals will also be given to the Best Kiddie Player, Best Junior Player, and Best Female Player.
“This is one of the longest running chess tourney in the country and we hope to continue it through the years to help provide a venue for local chess players to train and hone their skills and, most importantly, compete with the top players in the country,” Calica said.
The Kidapawan Open is a 9-round Swiss System Open Tournament with time control of thirty minutes (30) for each player for the entire game.
Registration for the 10thKidapawan Chess Open Championship is ongoing.
It is open to all Filipino players of all ages, rated or non-rated, male or female, residing anywhere in the Philippines.
A registration fee of P400 will be required from each player residing outside Kidapawan City. Kidapawan City players will only pay P200 only.
Players are encouraged to bring chess set/s and chess clock/s during the tournament.
Deadline for registration is on Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. You may contact Dr. Ted P. Calica (0947-0226007/(064)577-5746), Michael Vic Artieda (0946-0104180) and Chief Arbiter Alfred Moulic (0942-3844915). (Lito delos Reyes/PNA)
