BATTLE OF GRANDMASTERS, APRIL 19-30

BATTLE OF THE GRANDMASTERS GOES TO MANILA PAVILION ON APRIL 19

MANILA---ALL roads lead to the Manila Pavilion on United Nations (UN) Avenue when the much awaited Battle of Grandmasters takes place on April 19 to 30.

This was revealed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. in a recent interview.

"Tuloy na tuloy na" said Pichay, who produced three grandmaster under his term---Wesley So, Darwin Laylo and Jayson Gonzales.

NCFP director WillyAbalos said that 12 leading male players, including six of the country's seven grandmasters, have each made a definite commitment to play in the tournament.

On the distaff side, he said 12 of a short list of 14 ladies have made the same commitment.

Here is the lineup for the Men's Division: GMs Wesley So (2540), Mark Paragua (2537), Joey Antonio (2529), Eugene Torre (2519), Jayson Gonzales (2467), and Bong Villamayor (2425); IMs John Paul Gomez (2464) and Julio Catalino Sadorra (2455); FM Fernie Donguines (2362); and NMs Rolando Nolte (2420), Oliver Barbosa (2403) and Hamed Nouri (2392).

Here are the women who have pledged to join the mixed tournament: Catherine Pereña (2234), Sherily (2132) and Shercila Cua (2203), Rulp Ylem Jose (2044), Jenny Rose Paloma, Jedara Docena, Aices Salvador (1998), WIM Beverly Mendoza (2072), Chardine Cheradee Camacho (2106), Kimberly Jane Cunanan, Christy Lamiel Bernales, and Enerose Magno. Abalos said he was also inviting Loreshyl Cuison and WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao (2185), but he had not heard from them.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison