So leads Eton Open chess cast

MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster Wesley So has confirmed his participation in the premier section of the Young Knights Chess League slated Dec. 29-30 at Eton Cyberpod Corinthian at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Ave. across Robinson Galeria in Pasig City.

The tournament, exclusively for Milo Checkmate students who have attended the program since 1990, also features some of the country’s leading players, including GMs Mark Paragua, Ronald Dableo and John Paul Gomez.

The leading GMs will vie in Open/Advance, which will also include untitled players whose NCFP ratings are over 1800; while those with ratings below 1800 or have taken Level 1 and above will fight it out in Intermediate/Beginner category.

Also on tap is the Preparatory division.

The event offers two choices of schedule: two-day competition from Dec. 29-30 starting at 12:30 p.m. and the one-day affair on Dec. 30 at 10 a.m.

A total prize fund of P90,000 is at stake in the tournaemnt with the champions receiving trophies and the following top prizes in their respective divisions: Open - P20,000; Intermediate/Beginner - P4,500 and Preparatory - P2,500. Special cash awards will also be given to top U2000; top U1900 and top ladies while plaques will be awarded to best scorers in Prep 1; Prep 2, Prep 3; Intermediate; Jr and Sr Beginners.

Joining So, Paragua, Dableo and Gomez in the centerpiece event are IM Julio Catalino Sadorra, FM Julius Joseph de Ramos, FM Paulo del Mundo, FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Haridas Pascua, NM Leo Carlos, NM Jake dela Cruz, NM Marlon Bernardino, NM Emmanuel Emperado, WNM Aices Salvador, WIM Joy Lomibao, WNM Rachelle Pascua, Ivan Gil Biag, RJ Magallanes, Vic Neil Villanueva, and Timothy So Kua,

For other details, contact the organizing Metropolitan Chess Club at 826-8560; 994-5199 or 0916-852-1069 or NM Deniel Causo at 0915-689-2359.