THE top chess players in this side of the country will square off for the title in the Jazz Chillin’ Open Rapid Chess Tournament at the Jazz Chillin’ Restaurant & Music Lounge in Cebu City on March 10.

The open tournament, sanctioned by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), will have four national masters (NM) and one international master (IM).

IM Kim Yap will compete for the crown along with NMs Rommel Ganzon, Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez Jr. and Edsel Montoya. The other top contenders include Richard Natividad, Carlose Moreno III, Mario Mangubat, Ronald Bancod, Diego Capurino, among others.

The organizers are expecting to draw 80 players in the tournament, which will have seven rounds and a 15-minute time limit with five-second increments. (RSC)