“VINTAGE” GM EUGENE TORRE EYES BATTLE OF GMs TITLE

EUGENE Torre, Asia’s first Grandmaster has only one thing in his mind right now, and that is to win the coveted Battle of the Grandmasters (GMs ) title to be held on  March  23-30 at   the  City State  Tower  Hotel in   Mabini St. cor. Padre Faura in Ermita , Manila.

“I hope maging maganda ang performance natin sa Battle of the GMs” said Torre, long-time vanguard of RP chess in an interview of this writer at the SCOOP sa Kamayan Forum on Friday at the Kamayan Restaurant in Padre Faura.

“Inaasahan natin mabigat ang laban dito kasi kasali ang top player natin at mga upcoming future chess star,” said Torre, Asia’s First Grandmaster, who also invited to grace the opening rites of 1^st Atty. Edgardo “EdPam” Pamintuan Chess Cup on April 6 at the Marquee Mall Activity Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Phoenix Petroleum, Inc. has agreed to sponsor the  coming  “Battle of  GMs” chess championship for the second straight year.

Phoenix Petroleum , headed by its  president/CEO Dennis Uy and   brand  and  marketing manager Jay  Delloso announced the  sponsorship during  a  meeting with  National Chess Federation of the   Philippine s  (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

The event was originally scheduled to be held in  Dapitan City on March 15-23, but was moved to  Manila due  to conflict in the  schedules.

“We’re very happy to welcome   Phoenix  Petroleum back as our   major sponsor for this prestigious tournament featuring the  country’s top male  and  female  players,” said Pichay.

Pichay lauded  Phoenix Petroluem, headed  by  Uy,  for  its continued support  to   chess development in the  country.

At stake in the 10-day  competition is   trophies  and  cash  prizes  amounting  to   P660,000.

Two-time champion GM Wesley So (ELO 2656)   heads the list of  bidders in  the  tournament, which  offers P200,000 to the champion.

Expecting to figure prominently  in the title chase  and prevent a  third straight  title by So are   fellow World Cup participants  GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (ELO 2572) and  GM Darwin Laylo (ELO 2527).

Completing the  cast are Mark Paragua (2497) and Jayson Gonzales (2441),  IMs Ronald Dableo (2464),  Richard Bitoon  (2458), Oliver  Dimakiling  (2441) and  Rolando Nolte   (2420), FM  Haridas Pascua (2358) and  NM  Alcon John Datu (2220).

The participants n the women’s division are   WIM  Beverly Mendoza,  WFMs Chardine Cheradee  Camacho,  Shercila Cua and Catherine Perena,  Cherry Ann Mejia, WNMs Loreshyl Cuizon,  Daisy Rivera,  Christy Lamiel Bernales, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Jedara Docena,  Rulp Ylem Jose and Mikee Charlene Suede.

At stake are trophies and cash prizes amounting to P510,000 for the men, with the  champion bagging the lion’s share of P200,000  and   trophy.

The runner-up will receive  P100,000  and trophy, the third placer  P70,000 and trophy, the fourth placer  P50,000 and  the  fifth placer P30,000.

Cash  prizes will also be given to the sixth to 12th placers: P20,000 (sixth), P15,000 (seventh) , P10,000 (eighth), P6,000 (ninth), P4,000 (10th), P3,000 (11th) and P2,000 (12 th)

For the women, the  total cash prize of P150,000  with the champion brigning home P50,000 and trophy.

The runner-up and the thir dplacer will get P30,000 and P20,000. respectively.

Cash prizes will also  be given to the other finishers.

For details, call NCFP executive/events  director Willie Abalos at cell  0929-2266210.

BY: Marlon Bernardino