National chessfest underway in Aklan

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Grandmaster Wesley So (left) makes the ceremonial moves opening with five-year old Nino Andrei Joe Protacio of Kalibo, Aklan. Looking on (from left) are NCFP executive director Wilfredo Abalos, Grandmasters John Paul Gomez and Mark Paragua, Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Selwyn Ibarreta and Provincial Sports Coordinator Wilfredo Neri / PHOTOS BY BOY RYAN ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The 2011 National Inter-Province Chess Team Championship formally opened on Friday afternoon with Grandmaster Wesley So and five-year old whiz kid Nino Andrei Joe Protacio making the ceremonial moves.

Twenty eight chess teams are joining the nine-round Swiss system event from April 1 to 5. The host province of Aklan fielded six teams in the five-day chess competition.

The tournament is organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero Pichay, Jr. in cooperation with the Aklan provincial government under the leadership of Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.

Also present during the brief opening ceremony at the Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot Tourism and Training Center were Provincial Administrator Diego Luces, NCFP Executive Director and tournament director Wilfredo "Willie" Abalos, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Selwyn Ibarreta, chief arbiter Renato Abalos and Provincial Sports Coordinator Wilfredo Neri.

Tagaytay City led by So, the highest rated chess player in the country with an ELO rating of 2667, is the fourth-seeded team.

Top seed and defending champion Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA)-A is bannered by Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (ELO 2538), Ted Ian Montoyo (ELO 2297), Jayson Salubre (ELO 2282) and Mari Joseph Turqueza (ELO 2181).

Fide Master Roderick Nava (ELO 2397) will banner the second-seeded Cabuyao (Laguna). Other players are Rodolfo Panopio, Jr. (ELO 2218), Roel Abelgas (ELO 2170), Ryan Dungca (ELO 2132) and Gary Legaspi (ELO 2068).

Grandmaster Mark Paragua (ELO 2547) will lead the cast for the 3^rd seed Misamis Oriental. Paragua’s teammates are Christian Arroyo (ELO 2267), Jhonnel Balquin, Alfredo Rapanot and Richilieu Salcedo (ELO 2222).

REST OF THE FIELD

DAR Quezon City, led by National Emmanuel Senador (ELO 2375), Lennon Hart Salgados (ELO 2114) and Jerry Areque (ELO 2086) is the fifth-seed team.

National Master David Elorta (ELO 2367), Edsel Montoya (ELO 2096) and Melvin Lumidao (ELO 2103) will head the Makati team (6^th seed) while LWUA-B (7^th seed) is powered by Fide Master Paulo Bersamina (ELO 2098), Jan Nigel Galan (ELO 2047), Jerad Docena (ELO 1941) and Vince Angelo Medina (ELO 1963).

Also seeing action is Bacolod-Negros chess team (8^th seed) by Fide Master Severino Sander (ELO 2344) and Joel Pimentel (ELO 2050), South Cotabato (9^th seed) led by National Master Cesar Mariano, Leysa Ferdinand (ELO 2065) and Xavier John Verdun (ELO 2259).

The women’s squad of LWUA-C (10^th seed) is headed by Women National Masters Jedara Docena (ELO 2035), Christy Lamiel Bernales (ELO 2015), Mikee Charlene Suede (ELO 1902) and Women Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia (ELO 1912).

Fide Master Jony Habla (ELO 2333) will banner the 11^th seed Dep Ed A while National Master Rhobel Legaspi (ELO 2329) led the 12^th seed Antique.

Iloilo Club 64 (13^th seed) is headed by National Master Rodrigo Atutubo, Bulacan BYCF (14^th seed) by National Master Edmundo Gatus (ELO 2229), Gov. Bombit Adiong-Lanao del Sur (15th seed) by Ben Polao (ELO 2074), Peter I. Kimpo Chess Team Aklan (16^th seed) by Kevin Mirano (ELO 2042).

Other chess teams vying for the top prize are Accenture Chess Enthusiasts Team A and B, ASU-CIT Aklan, Capiz, Dep Ed B, La Paz (Iloilo Chess Center), Palawan, Passi City, Team B Aklan, Team C Aklan, Team E Aklan and Team F Aklan.

The champion in the prestigious chess tournament will bring home the lion’s share of P100,000 and trophy. The runner-up and the third placer will receive P70,000 and P50,000, respectively.