THE much anticipated chess tourney in Ozamiz City on July 8-9 will have the full support of Mindanao’s most active chess organization.
“Yes, we’ll be coming there not only to compete but forge unity and foster camaraderie with our chess fellows in Misamis Occidental,” said Benoni Wabe, founding head of the Golden Chess Friends (GCF) that regularly holds monthly chess event in Cagayan de Oro for the development of the promising youth in Mindanao.
In celebration of the 75th Charter Day of Ozamiz City, the two-day event dubbed as “Asenso Misamis Occidental National Open Chess Tournament” is supported by the sports-loving Misamis Occidental Governor in lawyer Henry S. Oaminal Sr.
To be held at the City Auditorium of Ozamiz with around P200,000 in total budget, organizer AGM Rey Urbiztondo invited no less than Asia’s first Grandmaster and World Chess Hall of Famer Eugene Torre to conduct Simultaneous Display against select homeground youngsters.
“It’s gonna be a grandiose chess competition where we expect some 300 participants from all over the country,” said Urbiztondo, who is also inviting the Provincial Capitol talents of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter M. Unabia that just dominated the Charter Day Inter-Agency chessfest of Cagayan de Oro.
US-based International Master Angelo Young is among those who signified early to vie for the P30,000 top prize in the Open division alongside newly-minted Arena Grandmaster Lyndon Lumancas and top non master Johnnel Balquin from Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental, respectively.
Likewise, attractive cash prizes await in high school and elementary categories.
The Arena Grandmaster Urbiztondo, who is presently board of director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, said former NCFP official Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe will administer the prestigious tourney which has the full backing of Ozamiz City Mayor Atty. Henry F. Oaminal, Jr, Congressman Sancho Fernando F. Oaminal, and the newly-created Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association.-Marlon Bernardino-
