MANILA -- Despite a disappointing finish in the 39th World Chess Olympiad in Russia, the national team will compete in Tuguegarao Open Chess festival this weekend to beef up its gold medal chances in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

The Filipinos suffered its worst showing in the Olympiad after finishing no. 50 from no. 46 years ago in Dresden, Germany.

Set to participate in the event sanctioned by the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (Pace) are Grandmasters Wesley So, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo, who will vie in the nine-round Open tournament.

GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales and International Master Yves Rañola will hold simultaneous exhibitions against 30 players each, in a tournament that is jointly organized by engineer-couple Abraham and Maria Theresa Cuaresma. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)