Bantayan to stage two-day chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - Some of Cebu's top-rated pawnpushers as well as veteran and upcoming players are expected to set foot on the picturesque Bantayan Island for the 1st Mayor Ian Christopher G. Escario Open Chess Tournament slated on June 21-22 at the Bantayan Social Hall.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines-rated event offers  cash prizes to the winners.

The champion in open category will receive P4,000, while the second and third will pocket P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. Those who will make it to the top 10 will get P300 each.

On the other hand, the top three finishers in both the 14-under and 18-under age groups among the residents of Cebu's Fourth District will take home P1,000, P600 and P400.

Organized by Anthony Castroverde, the two-day tilt serves as among the highlights of Bantayan's annual fiesta celebration in honor of their beloved patrons Sts. Peter and Paul.

Registration fee is pegged at P50 for Bantayan residents and P100 for outsiders.

For more inquiries, interested parties may keep in touch with Nicanora Sendon at 0947-7830104,

Edwin Monsalud at 0932-3535163 or Michael Tinga at 0947-9990432.

The 7-round Swiss system competition will be supervised by FIDE arbiter Felix Poloyapoy, Jr. of 4 Central Squares.— EBV (FREEMAN)