CEPCA anniversary chessfest set today

CEBU, Philippines - Over 150 pawnpushers across Cebu and its neighboring provinces will match each other's wits and mastery of the famous European boardgame as the much-awaited Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Silver Anniversary Open Tournament gets underway today at an open area near Slimmers World at the second level of SM City-Cebu.

Before the tournament starts at 1 p.m., a formal opening ceremony spearheaded by the CEPCA officials led by their president Engineer Jerry Maratas will take place. Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has been invited to grace the affair and lead the ceremonial move as well as former mayor Alvin Garcia, an honorary Cepcan.

"We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of CEPCA and we want to make it extra special by holding a series of activities like this open tournament, which is one of our major events," said Maratas.

The two-day tilt offers P50,000 in cash prize, with champion getting the biggest chunk of P10,000. The The second to fifth placers will receive P7,000, P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. The sixth to 10th will pocket P1,000 each, while the rest of the top 20 cast will get a consolation prize of P500.

The top three finishers in the kiddies, ladies, and Cepcans category A and B will receive a uniform prize of P1,500, P1,000, and P500. The top seniors player (60-above) will also get a P1,000 bonus.

Among the entries to watch out are National Masters Merben Roque and Elmer Sungat, FIDE Master Anthony Makinano, Arnold Cadiz, Rogelio Enriquez, Edsel Montoya, Rommel Ganzon, Richard Natividad, Voltaire Sevillano, Allan Salientes, Alan Pason, Carlos Moreno III, Bryle Arellano, the Balbona siblings, Joel Pacuribot, Glenn Pardillo of Bohol and a bunch of collegiate standouts from different universities in Cebu.

Registration fee is pegged at P150 for ladies and kiddies (14 years old and below), P200 for Cepcans and seniors, and P300 for regular players.

The organizers will accommodate on-site registration beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Founded in 1990, CEPCA takes pride for being the longest existing chess organization in this side of the country. Its founding members are Frank 'Boy' Pestaño, Bob Inocian, Alex Tolentino, Nicnic Climaco and the late Art Ynclino, Matias 'Bombi' Aznar III, Loy Miñoza,  Gerry Tomakin, and Sonny Sollano.

Led by Maratas, the rest of CEPCA's present officers include Marvyne Guardiana ( vice president-internal), Dante Arguelles (VP-external), Jun Olis (secretary), Jun Kidlat (treasurer), Ruel Hortelano (auditor), Boy Pestaño (press relations officers), and Harvey Jane Hilvano (recording secretary). The members of the CEPCA Board are Nicnic Climaco and Jojo Muralla.— EBV (FREEMAN)