Philippine chess gets P5M pledge
ABS-CBNnews.com
Posted at 04/25/2012 9:03 PM | Updated as of 04/25/2012 10:35 PM
MANILA, Philippines – Philippine chess received a boost from one of its avid supporters in congress.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has pledged P5 million to help the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) sustain its grassroots development program.
Escudero announced his pledge during the opening ceremony of the 2012 National Age Group and National Juniors Chess Championships in Tanauan, Batangas.
“The support of Chiz is a welcome development in chess,” said NCFP Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. “It will be a big boost in our programs especially for the youth and our players in the countryside.”
Pascua dominates Juniors division
FIDE Master (FM) Haridas Pascua of Pangasinan currently enjoys the solo lead in the junior boys division with 3 points after beating Tristan Frech Ibaoc of Cagayan De Oro.
In the girls division, Woman National Master (WNM) Jedara Docena of Bohol and Jodilyn Fronda of Manila downed separate rivals to share the lead after three rounds.
Docena toppled Carol Anne Chua of Misamis Oriental, while Fronda beat Cherry Ann Mejia of Pangasinan to maintain their perfect records.
The national junior champions will be sent to Athens, Greece to compete in in the 2012 World Junior Chess Championships.
Meanwhile, US chess master Almario Bernardino Jr. won 11 matches in a simultaneous chess exhibition against top Barangay Veteran Village woodpushers in Quezon City over the weekend.
The one-day event aimed to promote chess in the grassroots level, according to tournament director and sportsman Polly Carampel. – Marlon Bernardino
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
Very good for chess.