THE 9th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship unfurls Saturday, February 11, at the Kidapawan Convention Center.

Lawyer Dan Calica, in a statement on his Facebook on Friday, said Davao City and Davao del Norte players confirmed to join the two-day chessfest organized as part of the 19th founding anniversary of Kidapawan City.

Host Kidapawan City will also be represented in the tournament that will also see Davao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos Santos City, Koronadal City, Cotabato City and Cotabato Province bets vying for cash prizes at stake for the top 10 placers with the champion taking home P15,000.

“We organize regular chess tournaments in Kidapawan City to search, not in vain, for the next Bobby Fisher or better yet for the next Wesley So!,” Calica said.

He added co-organizers Kidapawan Chess Club, Incorporated and Batch 85-Notre Dame of Kidapawan Boys and Girls Alumni Association, Incorporated will also give awards to 15 years old and under players.

Registration ends at 8 a.m. Saturday in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-sanctioned meet. Interested players may approach Kidapawan Chess Club President Ted Calica or Kidapawan City Sports coordinator Ramil Deldo.