GMs Paragua and Antonio headline strong contenders

CEBU, Philippines — Close to 200 players including a bunch of chess masters in the country will battle it out for supremacy in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association’s 30th anniversary offering billed as “4th Engr. Boy ‘Chessmoso’ Pestaño Memorial Chess Tournament”.

Grandmasters Mark Paragua and Joey Antonio and Cebuano International Master Barlo Nadera banner the list of top contenders in the 15-round Swiss system competition that will be played on lichess.org starting at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday, October 25).

 Expected to give them a run for their money are National Masters Elwin Retanal, Merben Roque, Rommel Ganzon, Jethro Morado and Giovanni Mejia, and teen prodigy Alekhine Nouri, the youngest FIDE Master in the world at age seven who is currently the Philippines’ No.1 player in the Under 14 division.

Cebu’s homegrown talents in Richard Natividad, Brylle Arellano, Antonio Cabibil, Yves Christian Fiel, Ruel Nuttal, and Allan Pason among others will also be seeing action in the virtual tilt that is being held in memory of the late Boy Pestaño, one of CEPCA’s founding fathers back in 1990.

It’s the first ever online anniversary event of CEPCAsince its inception three decades ago because of the global pandemic. Registration is free.

Close to P15,000 in cash prize will be given away to the top finishers courtesy of the Pestaño family, CEPCA President Engr. Jerry Maratas, US-based Cepcans Engr. Alex Chua and Engr. Josito “Jojo” Dondon, Atty. William Cordova, Engr. John Velarde of the Barracks Chess Club,  Dr. Leo Lofranco, Engr. Roberto Inocian, Archt. Filemon Kapuno III,  Dr. Edwin Cablao, Engr. Vince de la Torre, Antonio Cabibil, and Normal Martin Olayvar.

The champion will pocket P2,500 while the second to fourth placers will take home P1,500, P1,000, and P700, respectively. The fifth to 10th will receive P500, the 11th to 15th will get P300, and the 16th to 20th will have P200 each.

For Cebuano or Cebu-based participants, there will be special prizes for the top three male, female, and kiddie (14-under) players, seniors (50-above), and Cepcans A and B.

For further information, one may contact Jun Olis at 0942-4641565 or visit CEPCA’s Facebook page.