MANILA, Philippines - The 2011 Asian Zone 3.3 chess championships unfolds today with GMs Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio leading the locals bid against a tough foreign field for World Cup berths at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay.
GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo, the two other members of the Philippine team which bagged the silver medal in the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China last year, are also in the roster along with GM Mark Paragua, IM Richard Bitoon, Oliver Barbosa, Rolando Nolte, Asian Youth gold medalist IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Rodrigo Atotubo, Emmanuel Emperado and reigning national junior champion Mari Joseph Turqueza.
GM Wesley So, the country’s leading player, has already secured a berth in the World Cup slated later this year.
NCFP president/chairman Butch Pichay and Tagaytay City Mayor Bambol Tolentino will grace the opening rites at 3 p.m. today.
The first round will begin at 4 p.m.
GMs Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son, Dao Thien Hai, Nguyen Anh Dung, Nguyen Duc Hoa and Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, head the foreign challenge along with Zhang Zhong of Singapore, Susanto Megaranto, Cerdas Barus, Dede Liu and Chandra Purnama of Indonesia.
Li Ruofan of Singapore, Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia, Nguyen Thi Thanh An, Hoang Thi Bao, Tram, Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Le Kieu Thien Kim of Vietnam and Dulamsuren Yanjimdulam and Uuganbayr Lkhamsuren of Mongolia banner the foreign cast in the ladies side.
Cheradee Chardine Camacho, Rul Ylem Jose, Beverly Mendoza, Jedara Docena, Christy Lamiel Bernales, Jan Jodiyln Fronda, Mikee Charlene Suede and Janelle Mae Frayna make up the local contingent.