Wesley plays black versus Bong today

DAPITAN City, Zamboanga del Norte , Philippines  – Defending champion Wesley So takes on fellow GM Bong Villamayor at the start of the 2009 Phoenix Petroleum-Dapitan City “Battle of GMs” chess championship at the Dapitan City Resort Hotel here today.

So, eyeing a follow-up to his victory in the Corus tournament in Wijkaan Zee, Netherlands, will play the black pieces against Villamayor, hoping to come out with a strong start against the field teeming with talents.

“It’s a big challenge for me   to defend the title against my equally-strong rivals, but I’m ready,” said the 15-year-old So, the top seed here with a rating of 2627.  

Other first-round matches pit GM Eugene Torre against IM Rolando Nolte, GM John Paul Gomez against GM Jayson Gonzales, GM Mark Paragua against IM Richard Bitoon, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. against IM Julio Catalino Sadorra and GM Darwin Laylo against IM Ronald Dableo.

The presence of the country’s six other GMs and five IMs is expected to make this year’ s competition a lot more exciting and unpredictable, according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Butch Pichay.

Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Vice Mayor Patri Chan, Phoenix Petroleum president Dennis Uy, brand and marketing manager Jay Delloso will join Pichay in the ceremonial moves.

FIDE honorary lifetime president Florencio Campomanes was also invited to the event.    

In the women’s division, Loreshyl Cuizon clashes with Christy Lamiel Bernales, Rida Jane Young against Catherine Perena, Beverly Mendoza against Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Rulp Ylen Jose against Jedara Docena, Sherily Cua against Shercila Cua and Daisy Rivera against Kimberly Jane Cunanan.