Chess GP draws 75 titled players

A total of 75 titled players, including two GMs, eight IMs and a lone woman NM, leads the chase for the top P1 million prize in the Chess Pambansa Millennium Grand Prix, which kicks off tomorrow in elaborate rites at the PNB Financial Center at the CCP Complex.

Many-time Olympian IM Rico Mascariñas gets back into action after a long coaching stint in the Middle East as he represents the Municipality of Alcoy, Cebu in the event, which has drawn a curious mix of participants that make up the 128-player field in the biggest-ever gathering of talents in a local chess championship.

Two days before the event, the organizing Philippine Chess Federation said it is still besieged with calls from various chess organizations all over the country, trying to put in their representatives in the best-of-two, knockout format event.

In case the field goes over 128, the PCF said it would be forced to hold separate knockout matches among the least rated players.

Beverly Mendoza, veteran of two Olympiads, joins the hunt for the richest purse ever and will be the lone woman player in a field which also includes 53 untitled chessers.

GMs Eugene Torre and Rogelio Antonio, Jr. are the top two seeds with 2557 and 2551 ratings, respectively, followed by IM Bong Villamayor (2474), NM Richard Bitoon (2436), NM Fernie Donguines (2425), NM Yves Rañola (2422), Mascariñas (2415), NM Emmanuel Senador (2410), IM Nelson Mariano II (2403) and IM Barlo Nadera (2403).

Completing the list of IMs are Ricky de Guzman (2380), Luis Chiong IV (2346), Mark Paragua (2368) and Ronald Bancod (2382).

Leading the NMs are Rolando Nolte, Chito Garma, Edgardo Garma, Jayson Gonzales, Rolly Martinez, Arlan Cabe, Eduardo Ortiz, Joseph Sanchez, Idelfonso Datu and former national junior champions Roberto Suelo and Darwin Laylo.

Format of the event will have the field divided into two with the No. 1 battling No. 65 and No. 2 clashing with No. 66, and so on in the first round.

Each player needs 1.5 points to advance with the next top 64 players clashing in another best-of-two matches and so on with the top two players vying for the crown in a four-game showdown. In case of a 1-1 draw, players dispute the berth in a 30-minute duel.

The event is sponsored by Real Bank, the Philippine National Bank, the League of Provinces of the Phils., the League of Cities of the Phils., the League of Municipalities of the Phils., and DILG.