Foreign GMs vie in GMA, Pichay tilts

MANILA, Philippines - Chess gets another major boost with the staging of two major international chess tournaments – the fourth President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Cup international chess championship Sept. 24-29 at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Parañaque City and the fifth Prospero Pichay Cup international chess tournament Oct. 2-7 at the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Bldg. in Diliman, Quezon City.

As much as $70,000 in cash prizes is at stake in the twin tournaments being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, and sanctioned by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF).

Close to 100 local and foreign players from all over Asia and Europe are expected to see action in the twin tournaments being supported by Department of Tourism, Pagcor, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Duty Free Philippines and LWUAA.

“After the highly successful Asian Individual Chess Championship in Subic, we are very proud to host two more major international chess tournaments in the Asian calendar,” said Pichay, who is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the twin tournaments being held for the fourth straight year.

Pichay, whose leadership in the chess association already produced seven grandmasters in less than three years, said top foreign players had been invited to participate in the three-week long competition to be held in succession.

In the PGMA Cup, the champion will receive the lion’s share of $6,000 out of the total prize fund of $40,000.

The runner-up will receive $5,000, while  the third placer will pocket $4,000.

The fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth placers will receive $3,000, $2,000, $1,500, $1,300 and $1,200, respectively. The ninth up to the 32nd placers will also bring home consolation cash prizes.

The opening ceremony and the first round of the PGMA Cup will begin at 9 a.m. on Sept. 24.

In the Pichay Cup, the total cash prize is US$30,000, with the champion taking home the top purse of $5,000.

The runner-up and the third placer will get $4,000 and $3,000, respectively.

The fourth up to the 24th placers will also receive cash prizes.

The tournament proper is set to start at 10 a.m. on Oct. 2 after a one-hour opening ceremony.

ACF deputy president Toti Abundo will be the chief arbiter, while NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos will be the tournament director.

For inquiries on the PGMA Cup and Pichay Cup, call up Abalos at cell 0928-5513089, 0929-2266210 and 0929-2390644 or the NCFP office at tel 381-7224 or email the [email protected]