CLOSE to 100 woodpushers are expected to vie for honors and cash prizes as the 2008 Primovit and Gaisano South Citimall Rapid Age-Group Chess Championships opens at 9 a.m. Friday at the GS Citimall entertainment area.
Britton Distributions, Inc. representative Tyger Castaños, who guested at the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn Wednesday, said everything is set for the tournament, which ends Saturday.
"As a multi-vitamin that has a tall and smart factor, Primovit will also sponsor a 3-on-3 cage tournament set at the GS SkyGym on Saturday and Sunday," Castaños said.
Tournament director Ronnie Tabudlong said they will still accept registrants in the morning before games start at 1 p.m. in the Swiss System format chessfest sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.
Castaños said participants can enter the chess meet with a purchase of Primovit vitamins worth P170. Every registrant will get a free shirt and mat chessboard.
Davao City Councilor Peter Laviña, who is also president of the Davao City Sports Council, is the guest speaker during the opening rites. Britton Distributions and Primovit bigwigs Glen de Leon, Angelo Martinez, Doll de Guzman and Tyrone Limon are also expected to attend the affair.
The champions in the 12 years old and under (born not earlier than 1996), 14-under (born not earlier than 1994), 16-under (born not earlier than 1992) and 18-under (born not earlier than 1990) categories will receive P3,500 each while the runners-up will pocket P2,000 each.
Newly-installed Fide Master John Ray Batucan, who bagged two gold medals and one silver in the Asean Age-Group Chess Championships in Vietnam, is the heavy favorite in 12-under. (MLSA)
