A BIGGER cash prize awaits the champion of the 10th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship set on February 3 and 4, 2018 at the Kidapawan Convention Center in Kidapawan City.
Kidapawan Chess Club, Incorporated (Inc.) president Dr. Ted P. Calica, in a statement, said, "For this year's tourney, we have increased the champion's purse to P25,000. Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo and GM-elect Ronald Dableo, and IM (international master) Oliver Dimakiling."
The runner-up will pocket P20,000 while the next two placers will take home P15,000 and P10,000. The fifth to 10th placers will also receive cash prizes.
The best kiddie, junior and best female players will also claim medals.
Calica said this year's tournament is "extra special" being the 10th year of the Kidapawan Open Chess Championship and the City of Kidapawan is celebrating its 20th founding anniversary.
He thanked the city government of Kidapawan through Mayor Joseph Evangelista who expressed support to the annual chess tournament.
“We extended invitations to top chess players in the Philippines to participate in this event and we are glad that GMs Laylo and Dableo and IM Dimakiling have expressed their readiness to do battle with the local chess players of Mindanao," Calica said, hoping that more chess masters will compete.
Past champions, according to him, include IM-elect and local bet Edgar Reggie Olay, GM Oliver Barbosa, IM Dimakiling, and Davao City’s Reynaldo Gempero, Jr., among others.
Dabawenyo Jason Salubre is defending champion. He ruled last year's edition.
Calica also said that Mindanao national masters Bob Jones Liwagon, Alexander Lupian and Macacuna Macala may pull off surprises in the event.
Some 100 chess players are expected to see action in the chessfest organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club, Inc. and Batch 85–Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls HS Alumni Association Incorporated.
“We have reached a milestone in Kidapawan Chess as this is the 10th consecutive year that we are organizing the Kidapawan Open Chess Championship. This is one of the longest running chess tourney in the country and we hope to continue it through the years to help provide a venue for local chess players to train and hone their skills and, most importantly, compete with the top players in the country,” Calica added.
Registration is ongoing. Fee is P400 for players outside Davao City. The event is open to all Filipino players of all ages, rated or non-rated, male or female, residing anywhere in the country. Kidapawan resident players will only have to pay P200.
Registration deadline is slated February 3. Interested participants may contact Calica (0947-0226007/(064)577-5746), Michael Vic Artieda (0946-0104180) or Chief Arbiter Alfred Moulic (0942-3844915).