MANILA, Philippines - The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is conducting the 2012 National Open Chess Championships (men and women) to select the members of the Philippine team to the 41st Chess Olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey Aug. 27-Sept. 10.
In line with the mission of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to discover new athletes and select the best players to represent the country in international competitions, the NCFP said elimination tournaments will be held nationwide to select the qualifiers for the semifinals. These elimination tournaments are open to all untitled NCFP members in good standing.
The top 30 placers or 30 percent in each elimination tourney – whichever is lower – from the men’s division shall advance to the semifinal round to join the seeded international masters (IMs), FIDE Masters (FMs) and national masters (NMs).
In the distaff side, the top 40 percent shall advance to the semifinal round together with seeded women International Masters (WIMs), women FIDE masters (WFMs) and women national masters (WNMs).
After the semifinals, the top six placers in the men’s division will join 10 grandmasters and the top eight placers in the women’s category will join the seeded six players from the 2011 Battle of Grandmasters, in the finals.
The final list will be subject to change in case of withdrawal or inability to play of any of the seeded players.
The first elimination tourney will be held April 16-20 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) located at #56 Mindanao Avenue, Project 6, Quezon City.
Registration fee is P300. Non-NCFP members must apply for membership before joining the tournament by paying the annual dues.
Information and registration: IA Gene Poliarco (0923-7309445), IA Ilann Perez (0949-1760889), FA Patrick Lee (0927-7209260) or email phichessfed2012@yahoo.com.