Huge field vies in Batangas Shell chessfest

MANILA, Philippines - The search for future grand masters continues as the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships (Shell Active Chess) resumes on Aug. 13-14 with the staging of the Southern Luzon leg of the nationwide circuit at SM City Batangas.

A maximum field of 300 is expected to vie for top honors in four divisions with the top two placers in the boys’ juniors and kiddies side and the winners in the girls’ juniors and kiddies categories advancing to the national finals slated Oct. 8-9 at SM Megamall.

 Meanwhile, Davao will host the fourth stage on Aug. 27-28 at SM Davao-Activity Center for the Mindanao leg with the circuit winding up on Sept. 10-11 at SM Cebu-Activity Center for the Visayas leg.

Twelve players have so far gained spots in the grand finals after the NCR and Northern Luzon legs of the five-stage circuit.

 Registration for the third leg is ongoing with fee pegged at P100 on a first-come, first-served basis.

Forms are also available at the Pilipinas Shell website (www.shell.com.ph/shell_chess and at selected schools, chess clubs and municipal/provincial government offices.

For details, contact tournament director Alex Dinoy (0922-8288510 or 02-400-3248) or leg coordinator Joselito Castro (043) 723-2568/723-4246 (Batangas).