Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez with daughter, Arena International Master Alexandra Sydney (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The Rotary International District 3820 will hold an Open Rapid chess tournament at SM City in Santo Tomas, Batangas on June 8.
Arena Grandmaster Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo will lead the entries in the fundraising event that will provide prescription eyeglasses to 300 students of Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
US Master Rodolfo Panopio Jr., National Master Efren Arguelles, Arnel Pinero and Bren Sasot are also joining the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-sanctioned tournament using a seven-round Swiss system format applying 15 minutes plus five seconds delay.
Cash prizes for the Open Division are PHP15,000 (champion), PHP10,000 (2nd) and PHP7,000 (3rd), PHP5,000 (4th), PHP3,000 (5th), PHP2,000 (6th) and PHP1,000 (7th to 15th).
The top three will also receive trophies while the fourth to 15th placers will get medals.
Champions in the Executive, Senior, Kiddies, Lady, 2000 and below, 1900 and below, 1800 and below, unrated and Batangas player categories will take home PHP1,000 in cash and medals.
Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez is inviting all chess enthusiasts to join the tournament, which is open to Filipinos and foreigners.
"We're doing this tournament to promote chess at the grassroots level and to discover future chess talents and champions," said Paez.
Interested players can pay the registration fee of PHP500 thru GCash number 0917-1370430 (Noel Balderas). (PNA)
