National Master titles at stake in national chess championships

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s best and brightest chessers in search of a National Master title and glory will converge from Oct. 6 to 8 for the Philippine National Amateur Championships in Tagaytay City.

Over 200 participants are expected to see action in a nine-round tournament, split into four divisions – the Open, Women, Juniors and Kiddies – and all vying for the coveted NM titles as well as the total pot worth P100,000.

The Open division should attract the country’s top titled players including Grandmasters, International Masters and FIDE Masters as they collide for the top purse amounting to P15,000.

The winners of the Women, Juniors and Kiddies sections, for their part, will pocket P5,000 each with the top 10 finishers all receiving cash prizes as well.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer GM Jayson Gonzales said Cavite Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino and NM Srihaan Poddar are backing the event.

Tolentino will provide the venue while Poddar has raised the P100,000 purse through his generous sponsor friends.

NCFP president Butch Pichay, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino also support the tourney.