Battle for P20T bounty begins as Aznar chessfest kicks off

CEBU, Philippines - Top chess players from all over the country will converge today to vie for supremacy in the 1st Bombi Aznar Memorial Open Chess Tournament beginning at 10 am at the E-Mall Activity Center.

Making up the list of strong title contenders coming from outside of Cebu City include FIDE Master Severino Sander and Mary Jo Aguirre (Bacolod), Marvin Ting (Silay City), Norman Montejo (Catbalogan City), Florendo Zamora and Rolzon Roullo (Dumaguete City) and players from Ormoc and Tagbilaran City.

They will be joined by the Manila-based Cebuano IM Barlo Nadera, NM Fernandito Pialan (Iligan City), NM Mirabeau Maga (Davao City), Joule Surposa (General Santos City), Rey Urbiztondo (Ozamis City) and NM Edgar Olay (Cagayan de Oro City).

The champion will take home P20,000, while the second to fourth will receive P10,000, P5,000 and P3,000, respectively.

Those who will make it to the top 15 will get P1,000 each. The top finisher in the ladies and kiddies divisions will get P500 apiece.

Registration fee is pegged at P300 for the open category, P100 for the ladies and kiddies, P200 for the students.

The deadline for the submission of entries will be not later than 9:30 am today. All participants shall play in one group only.

The two-day tilt follows the 9-round Swiss System format. Tie breakers include the direct encounter, buccholz, medial buccholz and progressive score.

Organized by Rose Pharmacy Chess Club, Inc. and supported by Southwest Finance Corp., Lapu-Lapu Rural Bank, Inc. and Rural Bank of Matag-ob (Leyte), Inc, the tournament is being held in honor of the late National Master and Cebu Sports Hall of Famer Engr. Matias “Bombi” B. Aznar III. (FREEMAN)