THE country’s top chess players mix it up with the best of their foreign counterparts when the First President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo International Chess Tournament unfurls on Nov. 17 at the Duty Free Shop of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City.
No less than President Arroyo is expected to grace the opening of the 9-round Swiss System tournament that is part of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines’ effort to produce more world-class Filipino woodpushers.
The event is an International Chess Federation (FIDE)-rated tournament that will give the participants the chance to boost their ratings.
More than $26,000, including the top purse of $6,000, is at stake in the week-long competition.
Grandmasters Mark Paragua, Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio and Nelson Mariano II will banner the Philippines while International Masters Ronald Bancod, Wesley So, Oliver Dimakiling, John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo, Ronald Dableo, Chito Garma, Barlo Nadera and Petronio Roca are expected to participate.
Among the foreign players who have signed up are GMs Mikhail Krasenkov of Poland, Vadim Milov of Switzerland, Thien Hai of Vietnam and Utut Adianto of Indonesia.
