CEBU, Philippines - The cream of the crop in Cebu chess circuit will once again test each other's mettle in the highly anticipated 26th Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Anniversary Cup this weekend at Robinsons Galeria Cebu.
Leading the elite list of contenders in the 9-round Swiss system competition are International Master Kim Steven Yap and National Masters Rommel Ganzon, Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez, Arnold Cadiz and Leonardo Alidani.
Out to give them a run for their money are veteran campaigners Bonn Tibod, Mario Mangubat, Anthony Makinano, Carlos Moreno III, Erwin Ababat, Edcel Montoya and Allan Salientes among others.
A bunch of young guns in the mold of Michael Pagaran, Felix Shaun Balbona, Kyle Sevillano, Yves Fiel and Diego Claro are also raring to see action in what is by far the biggest and most exciting event of CEPCA this year.
Not to be outdone, CEPCA fields in a solid cast for the cash-rich tournament that includes Rosendo Yamyamin, Jimmy Ty, Ben Dimaano, Rey Flores, Jojo Muralla, Peterson Sia, Amado Olea and Carlo Maraat.
Over P60,000 in cash prize will be given away to the winners of the two-day tilt. The champion will go home P10,000 richer, while the second to fifth placers will pocket P7,000, P4,000, P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.
The sixth to 10th will take home P1,500 each, the 11th to 15th will receive P1,000, while the 16th to 26th will have a consolation prize of P500.
The top three ladies and Cepcans in both category A and B will have a uniform prize of P1,500, P1,000 and P500, while the top three in the kiddies 10-under and 15-under age groups will take home P1,000, P700 and P500.
Registration fee is pegged at P300 for regular players, P200 for Cepcans and P150 for kiddies and ladies.
For further details, one may keep in touch with CEPCA president Engr. Jerry Maratas (0917-7204480), club secretary Jun Olis (0923-2629642) or FIDE arbiter Marvin Ruelan (0926-73529520). EBV (FREEMAN)