Cebu’s best gather for All Students chess event

THE search for the future chess masters continues as the two-day Cebu All Students Chess Tournament opens today at the University of San Carlos – North Campus Gym.

Expected to participate are the top Cebuano Kiddies and Juniors players who will also duke it out for a slot to the Visayas Leg of the Batang Pinoy 2012.

“This Cebu All Students tournament is also a part of the selection process for the coming Visyas Leg of the Batang Pinoy 2012, which will be held in Tacloban City,” tournament chief arbiter Felix Poloyapoy Jr. told Sun.Star Cebu.

The Kiddies 14-year-old and under category offers a total of P3,700 in cash prizes, with the champion winning P1,000. The Juniors division (20 years old and under) gives out a total of P5,500 in cash prizes, with the champion pocketing P1,500.

There will also be cash prizes for the top three female performers in each category.

Expected to figure prominently in this competition are 2012 Shell National Active Youth Chess Grand finals champion Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, the Balbona brothers and their teammates at the USC-Basic Education Department.

However, the University of Cebu players, led by the brothers Chris Aldritz and Christian Pondoyo, are seeking to score an upset against the Carolinians.

This tournament is open to all players who are enrolled this school year. The event will use a 7-Round Swiss System format with 25 minutes time control.

Registration fee is P75 for the Kiddies players and P100 for the Juniors class.