THAILAND-- A lady chesser ace Maria Ellaine Manalo Refugio is fresh from winning Chess4thai Main Event 2014 last August 31 at the Cha-Da Hotel here in Bangkok, Thailand.
She emerged overall top women player in this international chess competitions in Thailand that attracted over 150 participants from seven different countries (Philippines, Thailand, Macedonia, India, China, Japan and Korea).
This time Refugio who hails from Baco, Oriental Mindoro had a bigger dream, to pocket the top prize $7,000 and coveted United States Chess Master.
"Handang-handa na ako sa chess tournament sa Amerika sa Las Vegas sa Disyembre," said the 30-year-old Refugio, who is consistently training under the watchful eye of former 2-time olympian and Doha Asian Games bet Woman Fide Master Jedara Docena.
The 24th annual North American Open Chess Championship which offers Prizes of $120,000 based on 600 paid entries, $90,000 minimum guaranteed set on December 26 to 29 at the at Bally's Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Refugio is set to play in the Under 2300 section, also at stake is the United States Chess Master aside the top prize of $7,000.
"Malaking tulong po sa maintenance ng ama ko pong may sakit yung mapapanalunan ko po," Refugio told to this writer that his father got a mild stroke in 1983.
The Marikina-Quezon City based Refugio's local and international tournament are supported by Marikina mayor Del de Guzman and congressman Romero "Miro" Quimbo, Bulacan board member Michael Fermin and Barangay Malamig, Mandaluyong Barangay captain and former international billiard and snooker champion Marlon Manalo.-Marlon Bernardino-
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