1st Roger Abella chessfest slated July 27-28 at E-Mall

CEBU, Philippines - Cebuano pawnpushers will once again brace for a tough challenge against each other with the staging of the 1st Roger T. Abella Memorial Open Chess Tournament slated on July 27-28 at the E-Mall Activity Center.

The FIDE-rated (International Chess Federation) event is held in memory of the late Cebuano sportsman Roger T. Abella, who was actively involved in the promotion of chess and scrabble during his lifetime.

The 7-round Swiss system competition is open to all players, offering a total of P21,000 in cash prize to the top performers.

The champion will pocket P6,000, while the second and third will receive P4,000 and P2,000, respectively. The fourth and fifth will get P1,000 and P800. The 6th to 10th placers will take home P500 each, while those who will occupy yhe 11th to 20th spots will receive a consolation prize of P300.

The top player in the kiddies, ladies, seniors and 10-under categories will claim an additional prize of P500 apiece.

Registration fee is pegged at P200 for the open and P100 for the kiddies and ladies.

For further details, interested parties may contact FIDE Arbiters Marvin Y. Ruelan at 0926-7352951 and Felix C. Poloyapoy, Jr. at 0933-6642958

The two-day tilt is organized by the Four Central Squares Chess Association (FCSCA), an umbrella organization of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), and sponsored by Rose Pharmacy, Inc. though longtime chess patron Boogie Lim.

Meanwhile, the July edition of the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Monthly Tournament will take place this Sunday at the Deep Clue Cafe in SM City-Cebu.

The champion will advance into the grand finals this December alongside early qualifiers Atty. Jong Melendez (January), NM Arnold Cadiz (February), Percival Fiel (March), Maggi Dionson (April), Manuel Abucay (May), and Jun Kidlat (June). (FREEMAN)