SO, ANTONIO AND LAYLO TOP FAVORITES IN PSC RAPID OPEN CHESS TODAY

THE best and the brightest in local chess, led by grandmasters Wesley So, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., and Darwin Laylo, are vying in the “All in Sports-Expo 2010″ Open rapid chess championship gets underway today, Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) canteen located at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.

So, Antonio and Laylo, who represent the country in the last year’s World Chess Cup  in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia will vying for the top prize of P30,000 plus the coveted championships’ trophy.

“With most of the country’s top players competing, we expect another battle royale in the two days competition,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

Pichay, also the chairman of the LWUA, is expected to grace the opening ceremony at 11 am along with NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., PSC chairman Harry Angping, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre and other top officials of the PSC and NCFP.

Also expected to seeing action in the two-day tournament (Saturday and Sunday) are GMs John Paul Gomez, Mark Paragua, Jayson Gonzales and Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, IMs Rolando Nolte, Barlo Nadera, Chito Garma, FMs Christopher Castellano, David Elorta, Deniel Causo and Leonardo Carlos NMs Haridas Pascua, Julius Joseph de Ramos, Ali Branzuela, Mirabeau Maga, Efren Bagamasbad, Andrew Vasquez and RP seventh-time executive grand champion Dr. Jenny Mayor among others. Tournament director is NCFP executive director/ event manager IA Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO