A new chess league called Association of Chess Amateurs in the Philippines, Inc. (ACAPI) under an online Platform has been formed. In simul photo are founder AGM Engr. Rey Crisologo Urbiztondo versus Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre
Colorful opening ceremonies are set for February 11 while the game starts on February 13.
The league, which is founded by the team of Online Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Engr. Rey Crisologo Urbiztondo, will have 101 teams competing, composed of Open (16 teams), Senior (13 teams), Female (14 teams), Youth (25 teams), U-12 ( 21 teams) and PWD (12 teams).
“We have been planning this for a long time,” said Engr. Urbiztondo, who is also member of the board of directors of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
“We are doing this for the chess industry,” added Urbiztondo. The league seeks to provide opportunities for the country’s amateur woodpushers. It covers almost all sectors of the chess community with six categories, notably: Open, Youth, Elementary, Seniors, Ladies and PWD.
“Presently about 101 teams have confirmed participation or almost 600 players and still counting with the deadline of submission of participation on February 8,” waas the last word of Engr. Urbiztondo, who is also Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates team owner at the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines PCAP chess league and founder of Rising Chess Unlimited Diamond Developmental Program (RCUDDP).
Among the team to watch are Surigao Diamond Knights owned by Engr. Urbiztondo and team manager Engr. Dohjie Morales and sponsored by Rep. Ace Barbers and Davao Durianburg managed by Davao executives headed by Atty. Jong Guevarra and the 3 teams from Misamis Occidental ( AMOFCA) of Governor Henry S. Oaminal. -Marlon Bernardino-