PICPA team chess tourney unfurls today

CEBU, Philippines - A tough field of 10 teams will fight it out for supremacy as the 3rd Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants Cebu Chapter Sinulog Open Chess Team Tournament gets underway this afternoon at the Deep Blue 'd Wodpushers Chess Club of SM City-Cebu.

Among the early title favorites are the group of International Master Kim Yap, Rogelio Enriquez, Joel Pacuribot, and Rodrigo Ababat, FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, Voltaire Sevillano, Ronald Ganzon, and Nestor Encallado, and National Master Merben Roque, Richard Natividad, Michael Pagaran, and Carlo Maraat.

The other top contenders include Rommel Ganzon, Alan Salientes, Erwin Ababat, and Rafael Perez, Felix Balbona, Felix Shaun Balbona, Carlos Moreno, and Kyle Sevillano, NM Leonardo Alidani, Peterson Sia, and Rey Flores, and Edcel Montoya, Bryle Arellano, and Bonn Tibod.

The remaining three entries will be known before the competition starts at 1 p.m.

They will play in a single round robin following the 9-round Swiss system format.

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 chief 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 or FIDE Arbiter Marvin Y. Ruelan at 0926-7352951.—EBV (FREEMAN)