THE 3rd Lapasan Open is yet to assemble one of the strongest fields in local chess tourney.
For aside from National Master Levi Mercado and national Shell champions Bryan Jose and Lennon Hart Salgados, organizers did not discount the possibility of seeing the participation of NM Rustum Tolentino, Candidate Master Christian Arroyo, former Batang Pinoy champion Richelieu Salcedo III and erstwhile Philippine age-group titlist Randolph Dalauta.
Only late Wednesday night, Candidate Master Johnnel Balquin texted that he will be able to catch up the tournament from Cebu where he participated in the recently concluded Rose Pharmacy Open.
"Naa ko diha ugma (Thursday morning) diretso na dayon ko dula," were his words.
Arbiter Jokorn Maestrado said that top Cagayan de Oro talents who have gone to Manila to study as varsity scholars might consider going home for christmas.
"Recent feedback is manguli kuno sila. In this case, grabe kakusog ang field sa Lapasan bisan pa kon naay Grandmaster maglisod og daug," Maestrado said, referring to Arroyo and company.
The 3rd Daniel LL Abellanosa Memorial chess tournament will be played December 20-21 at the UCCP (United Church of Christ in the Philippines) building along Baconga street.
It offers around P12,000 in total cash prizes with the lion's share of P5,000 plus trophy going to the champion.
Second and third placers in this seven-round Swiss system tourney with time control of 45 minutes for each player (play-to-finish) will be receiving P3,000 and P1,000, respectively, also with trophies.
Fourth to fifth will get P500 and P300 each with the rest of the top-8 finishers out to pocket P200 apiece.
For the category awards, top class B, top class C, top Lapasan resident, top junior, top kiddy, top senior and top lady will be given P400 each.
Entry fee for regular players is pegged at P150. Kiddies will be assessed with P50 only with the Class B, C, junior, lady and senior contestants to be charged with a minimal fee of P75.
Tournament organizer Rizalino Frias and national arbiter Jun Cuizon will assist Maestrado in supervising the two-day chessfest. (LLS)
