Two big chess tilts in Cebu this month

CEBU, Philippines - February might be the shortest month of the year but surprisingly there will be two much-awaited major chess tournaments which will happen here at the Queen City of the South.

The featured tournaments are the 1st Bombi Aznar Memorial Open Chess Tournament on February 19-21 and the Cebu City Charter Day Open Chess Championships on February 26-28, which will be hosted by Elizabeth Mall.

 The 1st Bombi Aznar Memorial Open Chess Tournament is in honor of the late Engr. Matias B. Aznar III, a national chess master and Cebu Sports Hall of Famer.

Aznar was the president of the Philippine Chess Federation and captained the Philippine Olympic chess team in Nice, France in 1974 where Eugene Torre earned his grandmaster title, the first in Asia.

Aznar who died last year, was the most senior of the Aznar family that owns the Southwestern University.

Supporting the tournament are Southwest Finance Corp., Lapu-lapu Rural Bank, Inc. and Rural Bank of Matag-ob (Leyte), Inc, which are owned by the heirs of the late national master.

 The said tournament is planned to be held annually. There might be another tournament on November, culminating the birthday of Aznar on December 1.

 On the other hand, the Cebu City Charter Day Open Chess Championships is another big tournament sponsored by the Cebu City government thru the Office of the Committee on Games, Amusement and Sports headed by Hon. Councilor Raul ‘Yayoy’ D. Alcoseba.

Both tournaments are organized by Rose Pharmacy Chess Club and are open to kids and adults, students and professionals, men and women.

Nationwide in scope, the organizer expects participation of some of the best chess players in the country including Grandmasters and International Masters.

For queries and information, one may reach Marvin Ruelan at 09267352951 and Roger Abella at 09102686890 / 255-5057 or at his email address: [email protected]. (FREEMAN)