MANILA – International Master Angelo Abundo Young, an eight-time Illinois, USA champion, will lead the Philippine campaign at the Penang International Open scheduled from April 8 to 12 in Malaysia.
Also competing are FIDE Master (FM) Christopher Castellano, National Master (NM) Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., and Candidate Master Jason Rojo.
The 60-year-old Young from Tondo, Manila placed third in the GM Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Open Rapid Chess Tournament last March 23.
"I'm ready. I hope luck is on my side," said Young, who finished eighth overall in the 2019 World Seniors Chess Championships in Bucharest, Romania.
"My morale is high because of the full support given to me by my good friend FM/AGM Angelito "Anji" Camer, NM Bernardino Jr. and my son Brian Angelo," added the 1982 national junior champion.
Young, currently head coach of the Emilio Aguinaldo College chess team, also thanked the Penang Chess Association headed by Atty. See Swee Sie and Madam In Hooi Teh for inviting him.
The Filipino chess players will be up against renowned players such as FIDE Master Yu Tian Poh, Woman Candidate Master Jia-Tien Chua, Siang-Zhe Chua and Looi Xin Hao of Malaysia, Nathanael Dieudonne B. Simanihuruk and Maximiliano Marrhuimawan of Indonesia, Jamison Edrich Kao of Hongkong, Martin Greenwood of England and Paul Eggers of USA. (PNA)