CONSISTENT in promoting local chess development, the Goldcrest Marketing Corporation under the stewardship of National Master Roly Tan will sponsor a Fide-rated standard tournament for 20-under players.
Offering over P50,000 in total cash prizes, it will be held at the Green Lane 2nd floor of Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City on March 27-29.
"Roly boy is very intelligent, helpful and understanding when it comes to the welfare of young and budding pawnpushers in the locality. He knows that to bolster their chances of obtaining international title will only be through hosting more and more Fide-rated tournaments," said newly-minted Fide Master Rustum Tolentino, who will be in the forefront in staging the three-day nine-round Swiss System tourney with standard time control of 60 minutes and 30 seconds increment.
The top three winners will receive P10,000, P9,000 and P8,000, while fourth up to 10th placer will get P7,000, P6,000, P5,000, P4,000, P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 all with certificates.
Top female, top unrated and top kiddy will also be given with P1,000 each, also with certificates.
FM Tolentino, who runs the Masters Class Chess School in Cagayan de Oro alongside National Master Levi Mercado, said the participants shall not have a published Fide Rating of 2001 or more at the start of the tournament.
"S'werte kaayo ang mga new crop of chess players today kay makadula sila sa Fide-rated event right in their very own backyard. Kami mo-travel pa sa gawas aron maka-chance. Roly boy is such a gift from above to local chess developent," said Jaime Joshua Frias II, who in 2019 won a couple of challenger's titles during an International Open chess competitions in Abu Dhabi and Australia.