400 bets to compete as National Open chess gets underway

Chess takes certerstage as the National Open Chess championships begins today at the Greenhills Shopping Centermall in San Juan with close to 400 players seeing action.

The cream of the country’s chess led by Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio, the defending champion, and Bong Villamayor will pit their wits and skills over the next two weeks in the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Top sports personalities have been invited to simple opening ceremonies ushering in the tournament at 1 p.m.

Heading the guest list is Maite Defensor, representing her father and NCFP project director Mat Defensor, who will be the National Open’s keynote speaker. Also invited to the rites are POC president Celso Dayrit, POC second vice president Claudio Altura, PSC commissioner William Ramirez, Philippine Chess Society vice chairman Horace Templo and Ortigas and Company Chess Club chairman Eulogio Rodriguez.

"We expect very interesting and exciting games ahead in the National Open," Torre, NCFP president said.

A total of P750,000 is up for grabs in the men’s and women’s competition.

The men's champion wins P120,000 and the women's titlist P75,000. — Joey Villar