2011 Pichay Cup

The 2nd Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Cup chess championship begins on Thursday at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in Subic, Olongapo City.

A total cash prize of US$30,000 is at stake in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-organized nine-round tournament with the champion winning US$6,000.

The runners up – second and third place finishers – will receive $4,000 and $3,000 each. Cash prizes will also be given from the fourth to the 24th placers.

NCFP director for grassroots development Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales is the tournament director, replacing the late NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos.

Gonzales also served as the head of the delegation of the victorious Philippine team in the Asian Youth chess championships held last month in Subic where Ateneo standout Jan Emmanuel Garcia bagged the gold in the boys’ Under-16 division.

The opening ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. The tournament, which has Gene Poliarco and Ilann Perez as supervising arbiters, will end on June 8. – JVP, GMA News