ONE of the biggest online chess tourneys in Mindanao in terms of cash prizes is underway June 28 with some of the country's best pawnpushers vying for the Nightbird 357 Birthday tilt's top honors starting 1 p.m. via lichess.org site.
Jointly organized by Mindanao Chess Circuit and Eggheads Chess Circle and bankrolled by Canadian National Master Zulfikar Sali, a frontliner in Canada and a Filipino of Tausug descent, the P25,000-rich tourney -- which is free of entry fee -- is a celebration of the natal day of well-respected chess promoter Joselito Dormitorio on June 20.
"National Master Zulfikar Sali is a good friend of mine. He promised to sponsor a birthday bash tourney for me and it's very timely because many chess pals around the country need this one in time of pandemic," the ageless Dormitorio told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
"Actually, the idea which turns as the first ever project of the Mindanao Chess Circuit was hatched in Boracay island last year. Thanks to Zul (Zulfikar Sali). This will be the beginning of a series of Mindanao tournaments that may also feature some players from Luzon and the Visayas through invitation," added Dormitorio, also an executive chess champion, who acknowledged all Peca players/donors for contributing to make the Helping Hand Project a success.
The champion will take home P5,000 with the rest of the top 5 finishers to receive P4,000, 3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.
Those who make it to the top 10 circle will get P500 each, while 11 to 15th placers will be given P300 apiece.
Top 20 performers will settle for P200 each.
The top senior (55 and above), kiddy (11 and below), lady, media, frontliner and Zamboanga participant will take P500 apiece.
The top 3 Pecans (Peca executives) will get P1,000, P700 and P500, in that order.
There will be also special awards of P100 each for beat the birthday celebrator (Joselito Dormitorio aka Nightbird 357) and beat the master (Zulfikar Sali aka Covid Killer). (With reports from Marlon Bernardino)