PARAGUA, SADORRA TO COMPETE IN MOSCOW CHESS TILT

GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark "Mac-mac"Paragua and IM Julio "Ino" Catalino Sadorra are vying for the Tough Aeroflot Open 2008 International Chess Festival set on February 13-23 at the Hotel Gamma-Delta (Tourist Complex of Ismailovo) in Moscow, Russia.

This will be the first time that the 23-year-old Paragua and the 21-year-old Sadorra will be competing in the prestigious annual tournament which is bankrolled by Aeroflot, the Russian Airlines.

Paragua, the 2003 Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete with three gold, ranked third in the country with an Elo of 2521, and Sadorra, rated 17th with Elo of 2423, are both entered in the Division B which is open to players with a Fide rating of less than 2550 but higher than 2399.

"Magbigat ang laban po dito at I hope makapag perform tayo ng maganda, saka ok na experience na din ito," said Paragua, who is fresh from winning the Grandsmaster (GM) B close tournament of the inauguration of ASEAN Masters Chess Circuit in Tarakan, Indonesia last month.

At stake in the category are cash prizes, with the champion getting the lion's share of US$12,000, the runner-up pocketing US$8,000, the third placer earning US$5,000, the fourth placer getting US$2,500 and the fifth placer US$1,500.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is very confident that the two woodpushers will perform well.

"Maganda ang pinakikita nina Mac-mac at Ino (Paragua and Sadorra) sa mga nakalipas na event, kaya natitiyak ko na maganda din ang magiging performance nila sa Aeroflot bagama't alam natin kung gaano kabigat ang field," said Pichay, who bankrolled the trip of Paragua and Sadorra.

Under the leadership of Pichay, the former representative from second district of Surigao del Sur, already produced three grandmasters---Darwin Laylo, Wesley So and Jayson Gonzales.

"Hopefully dalawang GM pa ma produce natin sa taong ito," Pichay referring to Sadorra and John Paul Gomez, former national junior champion.


CHESS ARBITERS TOURNEY BEGINS TOMORROW

THE Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP) will hold "Chess Arbiters Tournament", February 10, 2008, tomorrow, Sunday 10:00am at Ramon Magsaysay High School, infront of Nepa Q-Mart, Cubao, Quezon City.

The 5 rounds Swiss System 15/15min per players Blitz Chess Tournament is open to all Active/Inactive Club Arbiters, Regional Arbiters and National Arbiters in the Philippines. The Top 5 Players will receive trophies and gift items each which is sponsored by Mary Grace Asanion of the Royale Business Club. Entry Fee is P100.00 only.

Part of the activity is holding the Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP) its annual Election of Officers which was announce by CAAP current President NA Rey Colitoy as approved by its Board of Directors in their meeting held last month.

For inquiries text NA Rey. Colitoy at cell#0917-5380022 and NA Gatz Luz at cell#09226373365.

OTHER NEWS:

PAEZ BARES CHESS PLANS

AFTER the successful 4th UPLB Chess Tourney, Dr. Alfredo Paez, President of Laguna Chess Association (LCA), bared the chess programs of LCA for the entire 2008.

These are the following events: March 9 - 3rd Chancellor's Cup in University of the Philippines Los Banos; March 23-26 - 1st Laguna Junior & Kiddie Chess Championships in Sta. Rosa City.; April 20 - 1st Cavinti Rapid Non-Master in Cavinti, Laguna ; May 4 - 2nd Gov. Lazaro Chess Cup in Sta. Cruz, Laguna; June 15 - 2nd Letran-Calamba Rapid Non-Master at Letran-Calamba. ; July 4-6 -1st Laguna FIDE-Rated Invitational Chess Tournament in Calamba City.; August 2-3 - 6th Gov. Lazaro Inter-Town Chess Team Championships in Cabuyao, September 21 - 1st Laguna Executive Chess Tournament in Binan, Lagnua .; October 25-26 - 2nd Sta.Rosa City Inter-Commercial Team Tourney in Sta. Rosa City.; November 30 - 3rd Dr. Paez Chess Cup in Cabuyao, Laguna. December 28 - 2nd Joseph Nelson Kiddie Chess Tournament in Cabuyao, Laguna.

" We hope that we can hold a National Chess Event in 2009 and an International Chess Tourney in 2010. We also hope to make Laguna as the chess model province of the country" Dr. Paez said.

All Articles Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO