Thursday, August 14, 2008 Retanal eyes IM norm in Malaysia
NATIONAL Master (NM) Elwin Retanal of Malita, Davao del Sur will gun for an International Master (IM) norm when he joins the Philippine team that will see action in two tournaments in Malaysia.
Retanal said he will see action in the 28th Astro Merdeka Rapid Open Chess Team Championships on August 15 and 17 at the Cititel Midvalley Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and in the 1 GB-5th Dato Arthur Tan Malaysia Open Chess Championship on August 29 to September 1 at the same venue.
Cebu's IM Richard Bitoon and Fide Master (FM) Kim Yap and NM Rhobel Legaspi complete the Philippines cast of woodpushers seeing action in the Swiss format Fide-sanctioned chess team tournament.
The Dato Arthur Tan Malaysia Open, meanwhile, offers a cash prize of $4,000 to the champion while the runner-up and third placers will pocket $3,000 and $2,000, respectively. The fourth to 20th placers will also receive cash prizes.
Retanal's stint in Malaysia is supported by Malita Mayor Benjamin P. Bautista Jr., Representative Franklin Bautista, former congressman Claude P. Bautista who is chairman of the Malita Chess Association and MCA president Jorge Alcoy. (MLSA)
