Tuburan to host team chess tilt Dec 28-29

THE QUIET town of Tuburan, northwestern Cebu will hold the 1st Mayor Democrito Diamante and Vice Mayor Danny Diamante Inter-Municipalities and Cities Open Chess Team Tournament on  Dec. 28 and 29 at the town’s plaza.

Mayor Diamante, an avid fan of chess, said the tournament aims to discover potential woodpushers in the town.

He said that Tuburan is actually a breeding ground of chess champions such as Grand Master (GM) Enrico Sevillano, International Master (IM) Kim Steven Yap, multi-awarded junior player Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano and IM Rico Mascariñas.

Aside from discovering new talents, the mayor also said he hopes the tournament will boost the towns image so it could one day host a bigger competition.

“I hope this tournament will give Tuburan a chance to host a national tournament in the future,” mayor Diamante said during yesterday’s launching of the tournament at the Harold’s Hotel, where he was joined by  Marvin Ruelan and FIDE arbiter Bob Tojong.

The tournament is expected to draw around 30 teams from the different parts of Cebu Province. Each team is composed of six players including two reserves. “Chess is a sport that needs mental toughness. That’s why I decided to organize this sport in Tuburan,” Diamante added.

Leading the list of the top contenders are the Sevillanos, Eden Diano, National Master (NM) Leonardo Alidani, Richard Natividad and Mario Mangubat.
Registration for each team is pegged at P1,500. registration will be done on game day.  /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL