by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines—A strong field of Masters are expected to participate in the 1st Cordova Philippines National Open Chess Championships August 20 to 25, 2021 at the Solea Mactan Resort, Cordova, Mactan Islands, Cebu.
13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. of Quezon City (above left), Grandmaster Darwin Laylo of Dasmarinas City (above right), Cavite and the country’s lone Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna of Legaspi City, Albay (photo below) have confirmed their participation.
Also expected to see action in the prestigious event which offers a total cash prize of P131,000 are International Master Ronald Dableo (Manila), International Master Michael Concio Jr. (Dasmarinas City, Cavite), International Master Daniel Quizon (Dasmarinas City, Cavite), FIDE Master David Elorta (Manila) and Sherwin Tiu (Makati City).
They will be joined by leading local players National Master Merben Roque, Allan Pason, Yves Christian Fiel, Jerish Velarde and Jave Mareck Peteros.
The champion will take home P50,000, while the second to fifth will receive P25,000, P15,000 P10,000 and P7,000 respectively. Sixth to tenth will each earn P5,000, P4,000, P3,000, P2,000 and P2,000, in that order.
Category winners for the top U-16, U-14, U-12, U-10 and U-8 will get P1,000 each while the best Lady performer will bring home P3,000.
The competition is organized by Richmasters (RCM) sanctioned by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
Over-all Tournament Committee Chairman is NA Ariel “APO” Potot, Chief Tournament Director is GM Jayson Gonzales, Supervising Director is NA/Coach Susan Grace Neri, Chief Event Coordinator is Ms. Bernalyn “Bec” Campomanes and Chief Arbiter is IA Reden Cruz.