Tough PICPA chessfest looms ahead

CEBU, Philippines - A tough field of veteran and top-rated Cebuano pawnpushers will try to outwit each other in the 3rd Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)-Cebu Chapter Sinulog Open Chess Tournament slated on January 24-25 at the Deep Blue 'd Wodpushers Chess Club of SM City-Cebu.

Of  the expected 10 teams set to see action, the Chess Masters manned by NM Merben Roque, Richard Natividad and Carlo Maraat and the group of FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, Voltaire Sevillano, and Ronald Ganzon appear to be the early title favorites.

The other contending squads, however, shouldn't be counted out such as the two teams from the Bureau of International Revenue (BIR), the Oriental Port and Allied Services Corporation (OPASCOR), and the Visayan Electric Company (VECO).

The annual event was formally launched yesterday by PICPA-Cebu Chapter President Ipher Q. Tabañag, tournament chairman Rodrigo Ababat, and FIDE Arbiter Marvin Y. Ruelan.

"Sports activities are part and parcel of the professional growth and development of the CPAs," said Tabañag. We also would like to showcase the talents of the accountants as far as the sport of chess is concerned."

Aside from trophies, the champion will take home P12,000, while the second and third will receive P8,000 and P6,000, respectively. The fourth placer will get P4,000, while the top board players will pocket a special prize of P1,000 each.

Each team shall be composed of four regular players, including one CPA, and one alternate. The CPA must play at least half of the total number of rounds. Each team whose CPA failed to complete the required number of games shall be disqualified for ranking purposes.

Rated players, as determined by the tournament arbiter, should not be allowed to play under board 3 or 4 as an alternate player.

Registration fee is pegged at P1,200. For more information, one may contact Tabañag at 253-2871. (FREEMAN)