So, Torre to grace EdPam chess tourney on April 6

ANGELES CITY – Super grandmaster Wesley So and Asia’s first grandmaster Eugene Torre will lead the opening of the first Atty. Edgardo D. Pamintuan Chess Cup on April 6 (Tuesday) at the Marquee Mall, barangay Pulung Maragul, here.

Mayoralty candidate Pamintuan said hundreds of chess players and enthusiasts will have the chance to see and meet two of the best chess players in the country.

Click here for Election 2010 updates

“Part of providing various support for our athletes is giving them the opportunity to see the people who inspire them,” said Pamintuan, former chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance and Development Council.

As of April 1, at least 135 players have already submitted their registration forms to the organizers of the tournament. The deadline for the submission of entries will be on or before April 5.

Ram Genita, one of the organizers, said national and international arbiters will officiate the non-master tournament using a seven round Swiss system.

However, he also said that they will be limiting the number of participants to 150 since “this is just a one day tournament.”

“But we are planning to organize more tournaments for Angeleños,” Genita said.

Citing the credentials of So and Torre, Pamintuan noted the two grandmasters have brought various honors to the country. So, who won the Prospero Pichay Chess Cup recently, ranks 64th in the world today.

Pamintuan, a former two-term mayor here, have been supportive of sports activities and events during his time as chief executive. He led the Angeles City players to win two consecutive over-all championships in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association sports meet.

Aside from basketball, Pamintuan said that the local government should also promote and support other indoor sports like badminton, taekwondo, boxing, billiards, chess and table tennis.

“The city also needs a comprehensive sports program that will address the needs of all coaches, trainers and athletes in the city,” he said. (PR)