Bitoon and Yap to lead Phl's bid in Brunei chessfest

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's pride GM Richard Bitoon and IM Kim Steven Yap will join GM Oliver Barbosa in spearheading the Philippine Team's campaign in two major chess events in Brunei next week - the Campomanes Cup set from April 8 to 12 and the Brunei Grandmasters Tournament scheduled on April 13 to 17.

The Pinoy players were personally invited by the Brunei Chess Federation (BCF) to take part in the twin events along with top GMs and IMs from two other countries.

“This is an important tournament for me because it will be my stepping stone to obtain a grandmaster norm if ever I perform well,” said Yap.

The Pinoy bets will compete in both the open and close categories.

The close category is exclusive to only 10 players. Aside from Bitoon, Barbossa and Yap, also seeing action are GMs Dzumaev Marat of Uzbekistan and Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam, IMs Van Huy of Vietnam and Jahongir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan and three Brunei players led by FIDE Master Mitch Yee Soon Wei.

“The Brunei Chess Federation created the close category to help the players upgrade their respective norms, either for IM or GM. This is also their way of discovering talents from Brunei with the hope that they could produce a player with an IM or GM norm,” said Yap.

Their trip to Brunei is supported by Cebuano chess patron Boogie Lim of Rose Pharmacy and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of former congressman Prospero "Butch" Pichay. (FREEMAN)