GRANDMASTER Oliver Barbosa and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia lead five other Filipinos in the 2nd HD Bank Cup International Open Chess tournament 2012 scheduled from March 2 to 7 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
“Kumpiyansa ako maganda ang ilalaro ng mga Filipino chess players natin sa Vietnam chess meet,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr who is bankrolling the Filipinos’ stint.
Also playing are International Masters Oliver Dimakiling, Rolando Nolte and Emmanuel Senador and National Masters Edgar Reggie Olay and Rhobel Legaspi.
Contestants in the $30,000 tournament come from China, India, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Egypt, Philippines, Republic of South Africa and host Vietnam.
The nine Round swiss-system competition offers $10,000 to the champion. /Correspondent Marlon bernardino