WOMAN grandmaster (WGM) Janella Mae Frayna and her coach GM Jayson Gonzales will grace the opening of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-organized 2017 National Rapid and Blitz Team and Individual Chess Championships-Mindanao Leg slated July 8 and 9 at the NCCC Mall Davao Kadayawan Hall.
Also joining them is retired brigadier general of the Artillery Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (AFPI).
This was bared by NCFP regional director James Infiesto in Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at The Annex of SM City Davao.
The fund-raising chessfest will benefit soldiers.
"This is also to increase awareness that sports is a tool to prevent drug addiction," Infiesto said.
The project will also have stops in Luzon and the Visayas as AFPI's way of contributing to President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs in the country.
Infiesto also said that AFPI also aims to discover woodpushers who are willing and qualified to join the foundation.
Interested participants may still sign up.
Registration fees are P1,800 (rapid individual and team chess) and P1,200 (blitz team chess).
Cash prizes await winners with the rapid champion team pocketing P25,000 while the next two placers will settle for P15,000 and P10,000. The blitz champion, meanwhile, will claim P12,000 as the next two teams will take home P9,000 and P6,000, respectively. They will also receive medals and chess sets.
The fourth to 10th placers in both categories will also get cash prizes.
In the individual rapid event, the first three chessers will receive P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000.
For inquiry, contact (0933) 605-57-95, (0939) 865-51-51 or (0998) 994-16-93.