1st Gentleman to open Chess Zonals today

First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker in the opening ceremonies of the Asian Zone 3.2a Chess Championships which unfold today at the Laguna Ballroom of the Grand Boulevard Hotel starting at 1 p.m.

"His (Arroyo) presence in the opening will boost the morale of our local players and his support for Philippine chess will also be appreciated by the enthusiasts of the sport all over the country," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Eugene Torre.

Also expected in the rites are Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason, Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, Pascual Laboratories president Manuel Salazar, Social Security System executive vice president Horace Templo, Philippine Chess Society president Reynato Sarmiento, Pagcor chairman Efraim Genuino and Atty. Teodorico Delfin.

A total of 42 players are competing in the tournament, which offers two slots for the male division and a lone berth for female class in the forthcoming World Chess Championships.

Vietnamese Woman GM and International Master Hoang Thanh Trang, (Elo 2489), the first foreigner to arrive in the country, flew in last Saturday night. The 20-year-old lady chesser, who is accompanied by her father-coach Hoang Minh Chong, is the top seed for the women’s event.

Others expected to see action are Indonesian GMs Utut Adianto (2589) and Edhi Handoko, and top players from Mongolia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Bannering the 12-man Philippine squad are GM Torre, GM Joey Antonio, GM Bong Villamayor, NM Jayson Gonzales and NM Allan Sayson, who qualified for the FIDE competition through the recently concluded National Open. IM Chito Garma and FM Fernie Donguines will also see action after booking the first two seats for extra players through the nine-round Swiss elims held last Saturday and Sunday.

Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza, national woman champion Joann Toledo and Palawan’s Rosela Joya will play on the distaff side.