So eyes 5th straight title
Posted by Online on Jul 8th, 2012
Manila, Philippines – Grandmaster Wesley So leads the tough field vying for the top honors in the Battle of the Grandmasters Chess Tournament on July 14 to 26 in two venues in Aklan.
Matches from July 14 to 20 will take place at the Club Paraw in Station 1, Boracay, while succeeding matches will be held at the Cabagnot Training Center in Kalibo.
The tournament, also dubbed as the Grand Finals 2012 National Open Chess Championships, will serve as a qualifier for the World Chess Olympiad set in August in Turkey.
Competing aside from So, who has the highest ELO rating of 2650 in the field and is seeking for a fifth straight crown, are fellow GMs Oliver Barbosa, Joey Antonio, Darwin Laylo, Joseph Sanchez, John Paul Gomez, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Mark Paragua, Rogelio “Banjo“ Barcenilla, Roland Salvador, Eugene Torre, and Richard Bitoon.
Meanwhile, woman National Master Rulp Ylem Jose eyes to rule the distaff side for the third straight time, but will face stiff competition from Woman International Masters Catherine Pereña and Beverly Mendoza; Woman Fide Masters Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Cherry Ann Mejia, and Marie Antoinette San Diego; Woman National Masters Jedara Docena, Janelle Me Frayna, candidate WNM Shania Mae Mendoza, Eden Tumbos, Akiko and Mikee Suede.
The event is backed up by Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Ang Kasangga Party List Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco Jr., SK Federation president Bob Legaspi, Philippines Councilors League president Jonna I. Morales-Torres, ABC head Edina Gelito, Cedric Sazon of Marzon and Travel Tours, Franklin Quimpo, Lino Diapo, Club Paraw owner Wilbec M. Gelito, and Arwen Barrios of Tawhay Condotel, among others.
Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph
Go Wesley!