COURTESY CALL. Laoag City Mayor Michael Keon (center) welcomes Queen of the North chess tournament director Aldwin Galapon (left) and assistant tournament director International Master Ronald Bancod at his office in this undated photo. Laoag will host the tournament at the Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium on Dec. 17 to 23, 2023. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Woman International Master (WIM) Jan Jodilyn Fronda will banner the Queen of the North chess tournament at Ilocos Norte National High School Gymnasium in Laoag City on Dec. 17 to 23.
Fronda will be up against national team members Woman Fide Masters Cherry Ann Mejia (Labrador/ Jacinto) and Samantha Glo Revita (Rosales City) of Pangasinan; Woman National Master (WNM) Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian of Flora, Apayao; and young players Mecel Angela Gadut (Candon, Ilocos Sur), Bea Mendoza (Baguio), Merlene Membrere (San Fernando, La Union), Jallen Agra (Claveria, Cagayan), and Regyne Palaming (Urdaneta), Kate Ordizo (Alaminos), Precious Ferrer (Lingayen) and Maycydel Fajardo (San Fabian) of Pangasinan.
“I am expecting the competition to be tough because there are equally experienced players and promising young talents who also want to win. I hope to perform well and gain some ELO rating points," Fronda, also of Pangasinan, said on Monday.
The Alaminos City-born Fronda won the National Women's Chess Championship in 2015 and 2019 and saw action in the 2022 Chess Olympiad in India.
"Female chess players from the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera regions as well nearby provinces are encouraged to join the regional chess competition which aims to discover the Queen of the North,” IM Ronald Bancod said.
Bancod will assist tournament director Aldwin Galapon.
International Arbiter Ricky Navalta will serve as chief arbiter and National Arbiter Elizsa Gayle Cafirma will be his deputy.
A total of PHP400,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, with the champion taking home PHP100,000. (PNA)
