Sports
Chess: "Battle of GMs" backed by Phoenix Petroleum
By
Mar 11, 2010 - 3:04:22 PM

By Lily O Ramos

MANILA, March 12 (PNA) -- Phoenix Petroleum, Inc. has agreed to sponsor the coming “Battle of GMs” chess championship for the second straight year.

Phoenix Petroleum, headed by its president/chief executive officer Dennis Uy and brand and marketing manager Jay Delloso announced the sponsorship during a recent meeting with National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

Pichay lauded Phoenix Petroluem, headed by Uy, for its continued support to chess development in the country.

The tournament will now be held on March 23 to 30 at the City State Tower Hotel in Mabini St. cor. Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila.

The event was originally scheduled to be held in Dapitan City on March 15 to 23, but was moved to Manila due to conflict in schedule.

“We’re very happy to welcome Phoenix Petroleum back as our major sponsor for this prestigious tournament featuring the country’s top male and female players,” said Pichay.

At stake in the 10-day competition are trophies and cash prizes amounting to P660,000.

Two-time champion GM Wesley So (ELO 2656) heads the list of bidders in the tournament, which offers P200,000 to the champion.

Expecting to figure prominently in the title chase and prevent a third straight title by So are fellow World Cup participants GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (ELO 2572) and GM Darwin Laylo (ELO 2527).

Completing the cast are GMs Eugene Torre (ELO 2506), Mark Paragua (2497) and Jayson Gonzales (2441), IMs Ronald Dableo (2464), Richard Bitoon (2458), Oliver Dimakiling (2441) and Rolando Nolte (2420), FM Haridas Pascua (2358) and NM Alcon John Datu (2220).

The participants in the women’s division are WIM Beverly Mendoza, WFMs Chardine Cheradee Camacho, Shercila Cua and Catherine Perena, Cherry Ann Mejia, WNMs Loreshyl Cuizon, Daisy Rivera, Christy Lamiel Bernales, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Jedara Docena, Rulp Ylem Jose and Mikee Charlene Suede.

At stake are trophies and cash prizes amounting to P510,000 for the men, with the champion bagging the lion’s share of P200,000 and a trophy.

The runner-up will receive P100,000 and trophy, the third placer P70,000 and trophy, the fourth placer P50,000 and the fifth placer P30,000.

Cash prizes will also be given to the sixth to 12th placers: P20,000 (sixth), P15,000 (seventh) , P10,000 (eighth), P6,000 (ninth), P4,000 (10th), P3,000 (11th) and P2,000 (12th)

For the women, the total cash prize is P150,000 with the champion bringing home P50,000 and trophy.

The runner-up and the third placer will get P30,000 and P20,000. respectively.

Cash prizes will also be given to the other finishers. (PNA)
LDV/LOR