All set for 2nd Mindanao Open

GRANDMASTER (GM) Richard Bitoon of Cebu will be back to defend his crown when the 2nd Gov. Lala J. Taliño-Mendoza Mindanao Open Chess Championship fires off from August 28 to September in Amas, Kidapawan City.

Kidapawan Chess Club Inc. president Dr. Ted Calica said Bitoon is among the three grandmasters who are playing in the five-day tournament set to be held for the second time at the Provincial Capitol rooftop.

Other GMs competing in the event and out to dethrone Bitoon for the top prize of P50,000 are Darwin Laylo and John Paul Gomez.

Bitoon was still an international master when he won the tournament's initial staging last year over GM Roland Salvador and IM Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City.

The country's top players will be going up against the best woodpushers from Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Manila led by Fide masters Cristopher Castellano and Randy Segara, and Kidapawan native NM Reggie Olay.

"The tournament will showcase some of the country's best players in the game, and a great avenue for the local ones to match their skills with the grandmasters," Dr. Calica said.

"This will be the right exposure for the young players who have potentials, and for them to hone up their talents in chess," he added.

Calica said they are thankful to Gov. Taliño-Mendoza for her all-out support to the development of chess by shouldering the expenses for the tournament.

The Kidapawan Chess Club Inc. has been actively holding big chess events in the province for several years now, including the annual Kidapawan Open.

The coming tournament will have a total cash prize of P126,000, with the second placer getting P25,000 and the third P15,000.