Millennium chess champ gets P1 M

Philippine Chess Society president Reynato Sarmiento turned over yesterday P1 million to the Philippine Chess Federation, the first prize in the first Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix, the richest tournament in the country to be held in Manila early this year.

The amount represents the lion share of the P2.5 million total prizes in the seven-round knockout event, to be headed by GMs Eugene Torre and Rogelio Antonio, Jr., slated March 22-April 18 at the Philippine National Bank Auditorium.

Sarmiento, who is president of Real Bank, presented the check to PCF president and Local Governments assistant secretary Jesus Ingeniero at the PCS's headquarters at Timog Ave. Also present were PCF vice president Eduardo Dee and secretary-general Edgar de Castro.

Some 300 players, who topped the qualifying tournaments in their respective provinces and cities or nominated by local government officials, will be taking part in the first two rounds.