by Marlon Bernardino.
It’s official. The Zamboanga Sultans acquired the service of International Master Angelo Abundo Young, an 8-time Illinois State Champion and over-all 8th in the 2019 World Senior Chess Championship in Bucharest, Romania.
Young came back from Chicago, USA for more than 2 decades to pursue his dream to become national champion. He won both the National Junior Champion in 1982 and the National Senior Champion in 2019.
He holds the record of achieving the required three IM norms in just 21 days and also twice US Chess League member of all stars.
“I would like to thank Zamboanga Owner Mr. Zulfikar Sali and Mr. Rey Reyes and all the members of the team for their warm welcome.” added Young, who previously played for the Manila Indios Bravos in the PCAP All Filipino tournament.
“I hope to contribute well to my new home and my team,” he added.
Joining Young in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Chess League dubbed as Grandmaster Wesley So Cup which begins on May 15 are Brazilian Grandmaster Alexandr Fier (Import) and Natori Biazza Diaz (Lady player).
Aside from Young, Fier and Diaz, also back for the team are NM Zulfikar Sali, AGM Rey Reyes, International Master Chito Garma, Siblings National Masters Joey and Paulo James Florendo, Sarah Chua, Jezreel Lopez, Jordan Gadayan and 8-times Philippine Executive Champion Dr. Jenny Mayor