TOP chess masters in the country will invade Negros Occidental as Grand Masters (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio (ELO 2498) and Darwin Laylo (2451) confirmed their entry in the Negros Open Chess Championship on October 12 to 16 at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod.
Antonio has played many times for the Philippines Olympiad team – mostly on Board 2 behind the Philippines’ first grandmaster Eugenio Torre.
He was part of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games silver medalist team together with the 36-year-old Laylo.
Others coming are International Master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling (2432), IM Ronald Dableo (2420), IM Emmanuel “Manny” Senador (2370), IM Richelieu Salcedo III (2291), IM Chito Garma (2219), and Bacolod City’s IM Joel Pimentel Jr. (2331), and Fide Master Sander Severino (2356) of Silay City.
National masters (NM) seeing action include Bacolod City’s Rodolfo Toledo (2312), La Carlota City’s NM Nelson Villanueva (2269), and NM Alfred Acaling (2100).
Also joining are NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan (2131), NM Efren Bagamasbad (2082), NM Rolzon Roullo, and NM Emmanuel Emperado.
Dante Albao, one of the organizers, said also taking the challenge are non-masters yet but rated woodpushers Ted Ian Montoyo (2297), Edsel Montoya (2273), Lennon Hart Salgados (2271), Jerich Cajeras (2238), Francis Glenn Panes (2190), Josevito Tapulgo (2175), Ellan Asuela (2157), Danny Mangao (2141), Kevin Mirano (2123);
Xavier John Verdun (2120), Ric Raymund de la Peña (2089), Jordaine Tupaz (2079), Fritz Bryan Porras (2073), Michael Ocido (2067), Marvin Ting (2004), Doughlas Perez (1929), Gerard Joshua Gelera (1878), Robert Ace Cabras (1876), Edgar “Egay” de la Peña (1873), Kenneth Allen Ballo-allo (1811);
Henry Taglucop (1801), James Carmelo Uy (1693), Theseus Benitez, Romeo Sadia, Melchie Tomias, Mark Mariano, Joseph Villafranca, Ronnie Villa, Sean Paul Rivera, Jamelin Ruth Lim (2265), Jasmine Atienza, Lenon Reig Cerrado, Alan Tenerife, Mailyn Cabungcag, Kristel Shayne Herrera, and Richie Jocson (2043).
The champion will receive P50,000; second placer, P30,000; and third placer, P20,000. All top three will also receive trophies and medals each.
The fourth placer will get P10,000; fifth, P5,000; and sixth to 10th , P1,000, plus medals.
Special awards will also be given to the Best Female Performers. The first placer will get P 3,000 and a medal while the second placer will receive P2,000 and a medal.
Interested chess players may contact Leo Romitman at (0917)7219094 or Albao at (0933)2760249.
Albao said the event is a part of the grand launching of Piaya Network as a national TV channel.
This National Chess Federation of the Philippines-sanctioned Negros Open Chess is bankrolled by the Piaya Network Broadcasting Corporation and First Community Bank Inc. in cooperation with the A & V Negros Chess Club Inc.
