City to hold 1st Fide-rated games of 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

THE first Fide-rated tournament of 2012 is being brewed by the Cebu Chess Association (CCA).

The Cebu City Charter Day Chess Open Tournament will be bankrolled by the Cebu City Government through the Cebu City Sports Commission.

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“I have already booked the E-Mall Activity Center for a five day tournament—the Charter Day Open. We are yet finalizing the details but everything has been set already,” CCA tournament organizer Roger Abella told Sun.Star Cebu.

Abella said that just like last year, the tournament will offer a P100,000 prize to the champion, while the details for other the cash prizes and special awards are already being arranged.

The date and further details of the tournament will be out in the coming days along with the names of the top players who are expected to come to play in the tournament.

Last year, the Cebu City Charter Day Open was participated in by four chess Grandmasters, including the country’s no.1 player GM Wesley So and No. 2 player GM Joey Antonio.

The tournament was won by GM Darwin Laylo, while the other GM was John Paul Gomez and IM’s Richard Bitoon and Oliver Barbosa who were granted GM status later last year.

“I am hoping that we can attract top caliber players once more just like last year, because this is one way for our local players to develop their games. But I am sure more titled players will come to play in the tournament,” added Abella.