DAVAO City will host the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships: Mindanao Leg set on March 31 to April 2 at the NCCC Mall Davao Kadayawan Hall.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) regional director James Infiesto, during Thursday’s Davao Sportswriters Association Forum at a mall in this city, said the Swiss System format chessfest is brought to the city due to unanimous request of participants, from different regions, who want to see Davao's beauty.
"Maraming nag-request na dito talaga sa Davao ang event para makakapasyal din daw sila lalo na sa bahay ni President Rody (Duterte) (Many participants requested the game to be held in Davao so they tour the city and visit the house of President Duterte)," Infiesto said.
He added the event is intended for Mindanao chessers but still expects participants from Luzon and Visayas.
"Most of the RP youth team from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will join," Infiesto said, adding that NCFP Manila will bring standard chess equipment since it is a national qualifying.
Boys and girls participants may vie in seven different categories including 20 years old and below, 18-below, 16-below, 14-below, 12-below, 10-below and eight-below.
Winners will receive cash prizes and top three winners in each category will be sent to Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia for the upcoming Asean Age Group+ Chess Championships.
Infiesto said registration is pegged at P300 while the NCFP membership fee is P300. Active NCFP members need not pay the membership fee. ABM