Saturday, June 07, 2008 Inter-province chess set in Tandag
ANOTHER major chess event in the country -- the first Vicente I. PImentel Sr. Memorial Inter-Province National chess team championship -- will reel off on June 12 to 19 at the Surigao del Sur Polytechnic State Colleges in Tandag City, Surigao.
Cash prizes amounting to P500,000 are up for grabs in this eight-day tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and hosted by the Surigao del Sur government.
The wining team will pocket the lion's share of P150,000 out of the total cash prize of P500,000 and a finely crafted trophy.
"This is surely one of the biggest chess team tournaments in the whole of Mindanao and I would like to thank the Surigao del Sur Provincial Government for helping make this a reality," said NCFP president and former Surigao del Sur representative Prospero "Butch" Pichay.
"It will also be a good opportunity for chess-loving fans in Mindanao to get a close look at their favorite national players and how good they are," added Pichay, who is expected to personally fly to Surigao to attend the opening ceremonies.
Pichay will be joined in the opening ceremony by NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, NCFP vice-president for Mindanao Val Rosabal, treasurer Red Dumuk and executive/event director Willie Abalos.
Aside from trophies, the runner-up team and the third-place team will receive P100,000 and P70,000, respectively.
The fourth to 10th placers will also bring home consolation cash prizes, with the fourth placer getting P50,000, the fifth placer earning P40,000, the sixth placer receiving P30,000, the seventh placer P20,000, the eight placer P15,000 and the ninth and 10th placers P10,000 each.
Registration is now being accepted at the NCFP secretariat located at the second floor of the Administration Bldg., Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.
Look for Abalos (cell 0929-2390644), Patrick Lee (cell 0927-7209260) or Ilann Perez (cell 0905-3269576).
