PAHALIPAY SA PASKO CHESS TOURNAMENT GETS UNDERWAY

By: Marlon Bernardino

MANILA, PHILIPPINES---THE “Pahalipay sa Pasko” chess tournament gets going on December 19 and 20 for the age group category and will be followed on December 26 and 27 for the Open category at the Gaisano South Citimall, Illustre St., Davao City.

Registration is for free at the SDD-CMO, mezzanine floor, Davao City Hall, tel.# 227-8074 in the two-division (Age group and Open category) event, organized by Sports Development Division-City Mayor’s Office (SDD-CMO) in close cooperation with

City Government of Davao and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Region XI and backed up by Darren Evangelista of Evangelista, Aquatics Sports Management and Growee.

According to James Infiesto, NCFP Region XI coordinator, the age group category is divided into six groups, the 8 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 10 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 12 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories); 14 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories);16 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories) and 18 years old and below (Girls and Boys Categories) and will be held on December 19 and 20.

Gerald Cavan, meantime will defend his Open title on December 26 and 27 with the champion getting the lion share of P5,000 plus trophy. The runner-up gets P2,500 plus medal; the third placer will receive P1,500 plus medal while the fourth and fifth placer will bring home P750 plus medal each.

In the last year’s edition, Cavan edged out National Master Elwin Retanal and Henry Lopez via the tiebreak to pocket the top prize of P5,000. Cavan, Retanal, and Henry Lopez finished the tournament sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines-Davao City Chapter with six points each after seven rounds.

The chess tournament was one of the series of sports events that was staged by the City Government of Davao to highlight this year's holiday season.