NAVA, ELORTA, START THEIR IM BID TODAY IN ASEAN CHESS CIRCUIT

DANANG, Vietnam---Filipinos Roderick Nava and David Elorta will pursue their quest for coveted IM norm/results at the ASEAN Masters Chess Circuit at the Danang Hotel.

Nava and Elorta, both playing under the banner of NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., will see action in the 13 man-field International Master (IM) round-robin tournament.

"I hope makuha ko na dito ang aking first IM norm/ results at gagawin ko ang aking best ko para ma achieve ko. Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Cong. (Butch) Pichay at Carmona Mayor (Roy) Loyola dahil sa walang humpay na supporta sa akin mapa local at international chess campaign," said the 22-year-old Carmona, Cavite native Nava who beat Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung in the 2006 Singapore International Open.

Elorta, the pride San Andres Bukid, Manila, on the other added " Gaya po ni Roderick (Nava), gagawin ko din ang best ko para makuha ko naman ang 2nd IM norm/ results ditto sa Danang IM Touranament. " Said the 25-year-old Elorta, who is best to remember beating Chinese GM Zhou Weigi in the 2007 Pichay Cup International Open Chess when he earned his first IM norm/ results.

Meanwhile, NM Edmundo Legaspi got first round bye at the start yesterday of 50-year-old Senior Division, being held coincide the Asean Age-Group Chess Championships and the Asean Masters Chess Circuit.

Legaspi, lawyer by profession from Olongapo City also tasked by NCFP President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. to be the delegation head of 40 RP Age-Grouper. Former Olympian IM Idelfonso Datu is the head coach while NM Rudy Ibanez is the asst. coach.

In the Asean Age Group Chess Championships, host country sent 195 players from a total of 340 players according to Datu. The Philippines is the second largest contingent with 40 players while Malaysia at 3rd with 31 players.

Other countries who participated in the Asean Age-Group Chess are Singapore (19), Brunei (12), Indonesia (11), Korea (5) and India (3).

"Malaking chance natin sa lahat ng dibisyon kasi solid 'yung pinadala ni Cong. (Butch) Pichay kahit tig 3 at 4 sa isang division pero talagang llamado ang Vietnam kasi marami silang entries sa bawat division. " said Datu.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison