Shell National Open chess tomorrow

All is set for the 2003 Shell National Open Chess Championships for men and women which unfolds at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the second floor of Kaban Ng Hiyas Building, Mandaluyong City.

Organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and sponsored by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., in cooperation with the city government of Mandaluyong, the 11-round Swiss system has lured more than 200 participants, with more players expected to beat the deadline for registration.

Expected to grace the opening ceremonies scheduled on Saturday are Eliseo Santiago, chairman and president of Shell companies in the Philippines, Pilipinas Shell vice president for corporate affairs Benito Bernardo Jr., NCFP president Matias Defensor, Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and City of Mandaluyong officials headed by Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos.