Chessers vie in US

A team composed of seven Milo Checkmate kids left for the US yesterday to compete in the World Open Chess tournament slated on July 1-7 at Adam’s Mark Hotel in Philadelphia.

Led by 10-year-old Gabriel Layugan of Ateneo and 15-year-old Emmanuel Emperado of St. James College of Parañaque, the team will join the Open Section five-day schedule starting July 3.

The competition, considered the world’s biggest event, will employ the time control of 40 moves per two hours plus one hour play to finish.

Other members of the team are Dexter Dacanay, Jaroz Felipe, and Emmanuel Eumir Songcuya II. Aices Salvador and Angelo Macaraig failed to join the team due to passport problems. They were replaced by Dominique Layugan and Emmanuel Elijah Soncuya III.

The trip, part of the Checkmate program founded and organized year-round by the Metropolitan Chess Club, aims to provide opportunities to its deserving students to gain exposure abroad at an early age.

The trip was made possible through the assistance of Herman Group of Companies, Pagcor, Pilipinas Shell, and the Philippine Sports Commission.