Mindanao's biggest chess tournament slated in Ozamis City
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 Jun 2023
MANILA---The provincial government headed by Governor Atty. Henry S. Oaminal Sr., in cooperation with the newly created Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association, is holding a chess tournament on July 8 and 9 at the City Auditorium, Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.
Dubbed as Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament, is part of the province’s youth development program, and one of the biggest chess tournaments in Mindanao, hosted by City Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal Jr. and Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal in celebration of the 75th Charter Anniversary of Ozamiz City.
This is in line with the sports program of Asenso Misamis Occidental Team.
Gov. Oaminal Sr., said the activity aims to promote and develop chess in the province and further discover, improve and enhance the hidden talents of both young and adult chess players.
"It's going to be a grandiose chess competition with the number of players expected to join," said Online Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, the event's organizer.
Urbiztondo, a board member of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), also invited the players from Misamis Oriental who ruled the Charter Day Inter-Agency event in Cagayan de Oro.
"Yes, we'll be going there (Ozamiz City) not only to compete but to forge unity and camaraderie with our chess fellows in Misamis Occidental," said Benoni Wabe, founder of the Golden Chess Friends (GCF) that holds monthly chess events in Cagayan de Oro to develop talented youths in Mindanao.
International Masters Angelo Abundo Young (Manila), Ronald Bancod (Las Pinas City), Rolando Nolte (Quezon City) and Joel Pimentel (Bacolod City), Fide Master Christopher Castellano (Cainta, Rizal), National Master Levi Martuña (Pagadian City), Arena Grandmaster Lyndon Lumancas (CDO) , top non-master Johnnel Balquin (Misamis Oriental) and Elvis Longjas (Dipolog City) have signified their intention to join the event offering PHP30,000 to the champion.
Around 300 woodpushers are taking part in the two-day tournament which offers a total of PHP200,000 in cash prizes is at stake in the FIDE Standard tournament.
Asia's first Grandmaster and World Chess Hall of Famer Eugene Torre has been invited to hold a simultaneous game against select homegrown young players during the two-day competition.
The chess festival is finalizing the Friendly Match of PECA NCR/Luzon versus PECA Mindanao composed of executives and professionals on the same date, July 8,2023 from 8-10 PM.
Tournament Arbiter is former NCFP board of director Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe.-Marlon Bernardino-
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