Sinulog chess attracts 25 teams

CEBU – Cebuano chess enthusiasts will be combining forces with their friends or other favorite pawn pushers when the 2009 Sinulog Open Chess Team Tournament takes place on January 9 to 11 at the Elizabeth Mall.

Twenty-five teams from commercial establishments, colleges and universities, cities and municipalities will participate in this 3-day chess competition.

Chief arbiter Roger Abella said that participating teams should have a minimum of four and a maximum of five players. However, each team could only field one rated player.

To ensure fair and balanced competition, Abella said the following rated players couldn’t play together or may not play below Board 1. These are Kim Steven Yap, Erwin Ababat, Francisco Abugho, Leonardo Alidani, Odillon Badilles, Jhonel Balquin, Arnold Cadiz, Eden Diano, Rogelio Enriquez, Anthony Makinano, Mario Mangubat, Carlos Moreno III, Richard Natividad, Glen Pardillo, Ramsey Pedroza, Allan Salientes, Voltaire Sevillano Elmer Sumngat, Bonn Tibod, Christopher Tubalado and Ceferino Vizco.

Abella added that the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA), who will manage the tournament, reserves the right to allow or disqualify other rated players not in the list including those outside of Cebu. 

The tournament is a seven-round event that will use the match point system where a team gets two points for a win, one point for a draw, and nil for a loss.

A total cash prize of P63,000 will be up for grabs in this tournament. The prize money is broken down as follows - P25,000 for the champion, P15,000 for the second placer, P10,000 for the third placer. The fourth to sixth placers will get P5,000, P3,000 and P1,000 respectively. The top board finishers will also get an additional incentive of P1,000 each.

Acting Mayor Mike Rama and Sports Development Committee Chairman and Councilor Jack Jakosalem lead the Cebu City government in sponsoring the event. 

For further inquiries, please contact Boy Pestano (09155070286 or 2317656); Roger Abella (09102686890); Jun Olis (09103476907) or Rene Casia (09298302051). – THE FREEMAN