So, Torre to grace EdPam chess tourney in Angeles

SUPER grandmaster Wesley So and Asia’s first grandmaster Eugene Torre will be the guests of honor in the first “Atty. Edgardo “EdPam” Pamintuan Chess Cup on April 3 at the Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga.

“We have invited them [So and Torre] to grace our chess tournament to inspire our chess players here in Angeles City,” said Pamintuan, former chairman of the Subic-Clark Alliance and Development council. He is now running for mayor in this city under the Lakas-CMD-Kampi party.

Citing the credentials of So and Torre, Pamintuan said the two grandmasters have brought various honors to the Philippines. “By merely seeing these two grandmasters, local players will be motivated to work and train harder.”

He said that hundreds of chess players and enthusiasts from different schools, barangays and various organizations in this city are expected to join the prestigious event.

Pamintuan added that national and international arbiters will officiate the non-master tournament where a seven round Swiss system will be used.

As of March 8, more than 70 chess enthusiasts here have already submitted their registration forms to the organizers of the tournament.

However, the organizers said they will be limiting the number of participants to 150 since “this is just a one day tournament that will surely create an impact.”

“There are more tournaments to come,” said Ramil Genita, one of the organizers.

Pamintuan, a former two-term mayor here, have been supportive of sports activities during his reign as chief executive. He led the Angeles City players to win two consecutive over-all championships in the Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association sports meet.

During his birthday celebration on February 23, presidential candidate Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro said he will fully support all the programs of Pamintuan.

BY: Marlon Bernardino