Wesley seeks three-peat as Battle of GMs unfolds

MANILA, Philippines - GM Wesley So opens his bid for a third straight crown in the Phoenix Petroleum-Battle of GMs, which unwraps today at the Character Hotel in Tagaytay City.

So dominated the first two stagings of the event featuring the country’s leading and rising stars in Manila and Dapitan City and is again tipped as the player to beat for the top P200,000 purse in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Tagaytay City government and Phoenix Petroleum.

Out to foil So’s three-peat bid are fellow World Cup veterans GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo, GMs John Paul Gomez and Jayson Gonzales, IMs Richard Bitoon, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Ronald Dableo, Rolando Nolte, Oliver Dimakiling and FMs Haridas Pascua and Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

“So is expected to play well and defend his title, but Antonio, Laylo and the rest are all capable of pulling off some surprises,” said NCFP president Butch Pichay.

Pichay, Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino, and Phoenix Petroleum officials, led by president/CEO Dennis Uy and brand/marketing manager Jay Delloso, will grace opening ceremony starting at 1 p.m.

“We have hosted several major chess tournaments in the past, including the SEA Games, but this is the first time that the Battle of GMs will be held here,” said Tolentino, also the secretary-general of the country’s governing chess body.         

GMs Eugene Torre, Mark Paragua and Bong Villamayor have begged off to honor previous commitments.

Also on tap is the ladies division with Shercila Cua heading the chase for the top P50,000 purse.

Others in the fold are Catherine Perena, Cheradee Camacho, Jedara Docena, Christy Bernales, Cherry Ann Mejia, Beverly Mendoza, Akiko Suede and Aices Salvador.