So favored in 'Battle of GMs'

MANILA, Philippines - GM Wesley So sets out as the favorite as he leads a stellar field vying in the Battle of the Grandmasters chess tournament slated July 14-26 in Boracay.

So has ruled the annual event four straight times but the country’s top GM faces tough odds this time with the likes of fellow GMs Oliver Barbosa, Joey Antonio, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo out to foil his bid in the tournament also serving as the grand finals of the National Open.

The top finishers in the event, divided into two parts, will compose the Philippine team vying in this year’s Chess Olympiad set in August in Turkey.

The first half of the tournament will be held at the Station 1, Boracay Club Paraw from July 14-20 with the other half to be played July 21-26 at the Cabagnot Training Center in Kalibo.

“We conceptualized this tournament five years ago to make chess stronger in the Philippines,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman/president Butch Pichay.

“I expect So to continue to play well and defend his title, but Barbosa, Antonio, Laylo and the rest of the participants are all capable of pulling off some surprises,” said Tagaytay City Mayor and NCFP sec-gen Bambol Tolentino.

Others vying in the event are Julio Catalino Sadorra, Mark Paragua, Rogelio Barcenilla, Roland Salvador, Eugene Torre and Richard Bitoon.

Meanwhile, NM Rulp Ylem Jose heads the cast in the ladies side, looking for her third straight victory against WIMs Catherine Perena and Beverly Mendoza, WFMs Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Cherry Ann Mejia and Marie Antoinette San Diego, WNMs Jedara Docena, Janelle Me Frayna, Shania Mae Mendoza, Eden Tumbos, Akiko and Mikee Suede.

The event is backed by Gov. Carlito Marquez, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Ang Kasangga Party List Rep.Teodorico Haresco Jr., SK Federation president Bob Legaspi, Philippines Councilors League president Jonna Morales-Torres, ABC president Edina Gelito, Cedric Sazon of Marzon and Travel Tours, Franklin Quimpo, Lino Diapo, Rey Matorres and Jeany Raco of the Governor Office, Club Paraw owner Wilbec Gelito, Arwen Barrios of Tawhay Condotel, general manager Rochanie Gadon of Willy’s Beach Resort, Kolai Mangyan owner Lowell Gucilo, Municipality of Malay Mayor John Yap, Municipality of Malay Vice Mayor Ceciron Cawaling, Sanguniang Bayan member of Malay, the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippines Sports Commission.

For inquiries, call NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales at 0922-8523089 and provincial sports director Fide Arbiter and NM Wilfredo Neri at 0920-5636732.