Torre, Bitoon to see action in Mindanao Open chess

ASIA’S First Grandmaster Eugene Torre will lead a crack list of top chess players who will see action in the 2011 Mindanao Open Chess Championship which will run from August 27 to 31 at the Provincial Capitol Conference Room in Kidapawan City.

GM Torre will be joined by GMs Darwin Laylo and John Paul Gomez along with IMs Richard Bitoon of Cebu, Rolando Nolte, Yves Ranola and Richelieu Salcedo and other titled players who have confirmed their participation in the P110,000 tournament sponsored by North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza and Batch 85 – Notre Dame of Kidapawan Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association Inc.

Organizers are expecting around 150 chess players to see action in the cash-rich event.

Leading the Mindanao challenge are NMs Edgar Reggie Olay, Levi Mercado, Rustum Tolentino, Cedric Magno, Sarip Roger, Ric Portugalera and Ferdinand Leysa.

The Mindanao Open Chess Championship is a nine-round Swiss System Open Tournament where each player will be given 120 minutes to complete play with the champion getting P40,000 plus trophy. The second placer will receive P20,000 plus trophy while the third placer will get P15,000 and trophy.

Cash prizes will also go to the rest of the Top 10 finishers while special awards will be given to the Best Kiddie Player, Best Junior Player and Best Female Player.

Registration fee is pegged at P400 but players residing in Cotabato Province will only pay P200. Junior and kiddie players will pay only P100.

Deadline for registration is on the morning of Aug. 27. Registration forms must be submitted by mail or to Joey Recimilla, chief of the Public Affairs Assistance, Tourism and Sports Development Division at the Cotabato Provincial Capitol.

For inquiries, call or text Tournament director Ted P. Calica (CP: 0939-2632482) and Joey Recimilla (CP: 0999-3088695).