1st Cabrido Memorial Chess

By: Marlon Bernardino

Reigning Philippine age-group champion Paulo Bersamina of Pasay City and Jett and JV Cadawas-Marcos of Cainta, Rizal lead the youth star quest for honors in the first NM Victor Cabrido Memorial Kiddie Chess Cup invitational tournament on October 18 at the Meralco Head office in Ortigas.

Other player’s who signified their intention to play are Rhal Sol Cruz of La Salle Greenhills, Jean Karen Enriquez and Darryl Samantilla of Adamson University, Jerad and Jesca Docena of Tagbilaran, Bohol, and Dennis Gutierrez of Pangasinan.

Cabrido worked for Meralco and was one of the pillars of the organizing group Meralco chess club. He also taught world champion Indian GM Viswanathan Anand of playing chess when the latter’s (Anand) based here in Manila in the 80’s.

The format of the five round Swiss-system preliminary round using the time control of 30 minutes with the top four players will face each other in the cross-over semi-final round (knock-out stage).

The top four players will be receiving medals plus cash prizes of P1,000, P500, P200 and P200, respectively.