BUSY SCHEDULE FOR FILIPINO WOODPUSHERS—PICHAY

MANILA, PHILIPPINES—THE National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) has finally released its calendar of activities for 2010 yesterday that will keep its athletes busy for the rest of the whole year.

Thanks for the undying support of NCFP president/chairman Prospero “Butch”Pichay Jr., whose leadership in the local chess body produced five GMs in less than four years including top player Super GM Wesley Barbasa So.

“We (NCFP) hope to produce more grandmasters (GMs) this year,” said Pichay,a noted sportsman.

The Philippine’s who is currently world’s no.30 have 13 grandmasters that includes So, Eugene Torre, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, John Paul Gomez, Jayson Gonzales, Joseph Sanchez and GM-elect Rogelio “Banjo” Aznar-Barcenilla Jr. and the late Rosendo Balinas. Ronald Dableo, the 2003 Asian 3.2a champion, needed to raise his Elo 2464 to 2500 to became 14^th RP’s GM.

NCFP executive director/ event manager Wilfredo “Willie”Abalos said that the Prospero Pichay Cup 1-day rapid event on February 13.

Then the Battle of the Grandmasters will return in its third year either in Dapitan City or Zambales scheduled on March 15 to 22 followed by Palawan Open in April in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Also schedule on April 11 to 15 is the annual National Inter-Province Team in Kalibo, Aklan.

Subic, Olongapo City will host again the tough Asian Continental/Individual championships, a qualifying round for this year’s World Chess Cup slated April 20 to 30

The Davao City will busy promoting grass-root tournament on May 15 to 19 for the National Age Group followed by National Juniors on May 20 to 24.

Then Subic again will host the 11^th ASEAN+ Age Group championships on June 4 to 13 before the chess scene back here in Metropolis for the first-ever Asian Battle of the Grandmasters in Manila.

“It’s like an Asian Games tournament,” added Pichay.

Mandaluyong City led by its Mayor/ sportsman Benhur Abalos will host the National Inter-Cities and Municipalities Team event on June 7 to 11 before the 2^nd Philippine Open on September 24 to 30 in LWUA, Quezon City.

LWUA will host again the 6^th Prospero Pichay Jr. International Open on October 1 to 8

and National Inter-Chess Club Team on December 4 to 5, respectively.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.