Inter-cities chess tournament starts

MANILA, Philippines - The 2011 National inter-cities and municipalities chess team championships begins today at the Pavilion Event Center in Tanauan City, Batangas.

The first round will commence right after the opening ceremony beginning 8:30 a.m.

Tagaytay City is expected to go all the way with GM Wesley So and NM Edmundo Gatus at the helm.

The other fancied teams in the event are GM Joey Antonio’s Mandaluyong City, GM Darwin Laylo’s Misamis Oriental, GM John Paul Gomez’s Tagbilaran City, GM-elect Oliver Barbosa’s Tanauan City, GM-elect Richard Bitoon’s Tandag City and IM-elect Richelieu Salcedo’s of FEU-Manila.

The event, which is expected to draw over 277 grand finalists, will coincide with the grand finals of the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE)-National Chess Academy (NCA) and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) 2011 Age-Group Chess Championships.

A total of 277 grand finalists from all over the country are expected to see action in four age brackets – 17-under, 14-under, 11-under and 8-under.

The grand final will be the basis for selection of the Philippine national youth team that will compete in the Singapore Youth Festival Chess Championships on Dec. 26-31 in Singapore.

“We are very excited to host a couple of big events in chess at the same time,” said Tanauan Economic Council executive director, Atty. Ruel Canobas. “This event gives the future of Philippine chess a chance to see our best players in action.”

NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales will supervise the event along with chief arbiter IA Gene Poliarco.