So, Antonio and Laylo play in PSC rapid open

So, Antonio and Laylo play in PSC rapid open
abs-cbnNEWS.com 02/26/2010 6:17 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Grandmasters (GMs) Wesley So, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Darwin Laylo are joining the best and the brightest in local chess in the “All in Sports-Expo 2010” Open rapid chess championship on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

So, Antonio and Laylo, who represented the country in last year’s World Chess Cup, will vie for the top prize of P30,000 plus the coveted championships’ trophy.

“With most of the country’s top players competing, we expect another battle royale in the two day competition,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

Pichay will be gracing the opening ceremony at 11 am together with NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., PSC chairman Harry Angping, Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre and other top PSC and NCFP officials.

Also joining the action in the tournament are GMs John Paul Gomez, Mark Paragua, Jayson Gonzales and Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor; International Masters Rolando Nolte, Barlo Nadera and Chito Garma; FIDE Masters Christopher Castellano, David Elorta, Deniel Causo and Leonardo Carlos; National Masters Haridas Pascua, Julius Joseph de Ramos, Ali Branzuela, Mirabeau Maga, Efren Bagamasbad, Andrew Vasquez; and 7-time executive grand champion Dr. Jenny Mayor among others.

Tournament director is NCFP executive director and event manager Wilfredo “Willie” Abalos.

— by Marlon Bernardino
as of 02/26/2010 6:25 PM