Pacquiao chessfest offers P1.5 million in prizes

CEBU, Philippines — The merry month of December gets even merrier with the staging of the National United Chess Federation of the Philippines (NUCFP) Chairman Manny Pacquiao 48th Birthday International Open Chess Championships on Dec. 13-15 in General Santos City.

More than P1.5 million in guaranteed cash prizes are at stake in the prestigious three-day tournament organized by the NUCFP in cooperation with the Pacman Chess Association, Professional Chess Association of  the Philippines and One Chess Movement and the local government of General Santos City.

The champion of the first-ever NUCFP-sanctioned tournament will pocket the lion’s share of P500,000 and trophy, the runner-up will earn P250,000 and the third placer will get P150,000.

The fourth placer will receive P100,00 and trophy, the fifth up to the eighth places will get P30,000 and the ninth up to the 15th places will get P10,000.

Cash prizes and medals will be given all the way to the 50th placer.

Special prizes of P5,000 and medal will also be given to the top Senior, Lady, High School , Elementary and GenSan players.

As a side event, the inter-club tournament will also follow, with major prizes at stake.

This companion event is expected to add even more excitement to the festival of chess and give clubs another major platform to compete, represent their teams, and fight for top honors.

NUCFP is also making the registration fees more affordable to enable more players to join.

Registration fees are: P4,000 for NUCFP Gold members and PCA members, P5,000 for NUCFP regular members, and P8,000 for non-members.