BIGGEST CHESS EVENT IN THE REGION

CEBU TO HOST ASIAN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

CEBU CITY is sprucing up for one of the biggest events in the Asia-Pacific region—the Asian Individual Chess Championship—to be held at its International Convention Center from September 18 to 30.

At stake in the two-week competition is a total prize fund of US$40,000.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay announced this on its official website last weekend, saying that more than 150 top players from all over the continent and Pacific islands, including Australia and New Zealand will be participating in this event.

"This will surely be one of the biggest and most prestigious chess competitions in the whole region this year," said Pichay, a former Surigao del Sur congressman. He also said, "The whole country, especially Cebu, is truly honored to be chosen by Fide and the Asian Chess Federation as host of the Asian Championship."

China is said to have "signified its intention" to send at least 10 players, six of whom are super GMs, namely, Wang Yue (2696), Bu Xiangzhi (2685), Ni Hua (2681), Zhang Pengxiang (Elo 2649), Ye Jiangchuan (2632) and Wang Hao (2626).

Indonesia is sending GMs Utut Adianto (2583) and Megaranto Susanto (2554).

Among the other early entries are GMs Ehsan Ghaem Maghami and Elshan Moradiabadi of Iran, and GMs Krishnan Sasikiran, P. Harikrishna and Surya Shekhar Ganguly of India.

All five Filipino GMs—Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio, Mark Paragua, Nelson Mariano II and Bong Villamayor—are expected to take part. Pichay is deputy president of the Asian Chess Federation.

(Report from MARLON BERNARDINO)