NCFP Press Release: PGMA & PICHAY CUP INTERNATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Paranaque Geographical Map

Here's a very recent press release from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) website concerning two major chess events that will be held in the country this coming September, the 3rd PGMA Cup International Chess Championship and 4th Prospero Pichay Jr. Cup International Chess Championship. Li Chao of China, the last edition's champion won't be around to defend his title but a number of strong and super GMs will be coming that would simply make this festival one of the biggest chess competetions in the whole of Asia this year. Here's the complete press release from NCFP official website:

WITH the Beijing Olympic Games now over, international chess takes center stage with the staging of the 2008 President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo Cup international chess championship scheduled Sept. 6-13 at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque City.

Thirty-four foreign players, led by GMs Murtas Kazhgaleyev (ELO 2641)

of Kazakhstan, Zhang Zhong (ELO 2632) of Singapore and Zurab Azmaiparashvili (ELO 2615) of Georgia have already confirmed their participation in the prestigious, nine-round tournament being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) for the fourth straight year in honor of Presdient Arroyo.

At stake are US$40,000 with the champion pocketing the lion’s share of US$6,000, the runner-up getting US$5,000 and the third placer earning US$4,000.

The fourth to 32nd placers will also bring home cash prizes.

“In terms of participation and cash prizes, this is surely one of the biggest chess competitions in the whole of Asia this year,” said NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, who is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the success of the tournament.

“The whole chess world will be watching our very own players, led by GM Wesley So and GM Eugene Torre , fight it out with top-rated players from Europe, the former Russian republics and Asia,” added Pichay.

So, whose meteoric rise as the world’s youngest GM made him the newest toast of local and international chess, will spearhead the Filipinos’ challenge in the annual event sanctioned by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The other notable players who have confirmed their participation are GMs Mikhail Mchedishvili (ELO 2604) and Konstantin Shanava (ELO 2522) of Georgia, Marat Dzhumaev (ELO 2549) and Saidali Iuldachev (ELO 2520) of Uzbekistan, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (ELO 2597) of Iran, Nguyen Ngoc Turong Son (ELO 2579) and Le Quang Liem (ELO 2577) of Vietnam, Weiqi Zhou (ELO 2556) of China, Susanto Megaranto (ELO 2532) of Indonesia, Shilogn Li (ELO 2511) of China and Morteza Mahjoob (ELO 2502) of Iran.

Also in the early list are GM Zaw Win Lay (ELO 2488) of Myanmar, GM Yan Weng (ELO 2487) of China, GM Dao Thien Hai (ELO 2489) of Vietnam, GM Tejas Bakre (ELO 2474) of India, IM Zaw Htun Wynn (ELO 2428) of Myanmar, IM Aleksander Wohl (ELO 2384) of Australia and Yunguo Wan (ELO 2471), Ziyang Zhang (ELO 2441), Deshun Xiu (ELO 2410) and WGM Xiaobing Gu (ELO 2286), all of China.

Aside from So and Torre, also expected to carry the fight for the Filipinos are GMs Mark Paragua, Rogelio Antonio Jr. , Jayson Goznales, Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor and Darwin Laylo and IMs Rolando Nolte, Richard Bitoon, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Chito Garma Ronald Bancod and Barlo Nadera and NMs Manny Senador, Mirabeua Maga, Petronio Roca, Rustum Tolentino and Adrian Pacis.

Aside from the PGMA Cup, the accompanying PGMA Chess Challenge will also be held on Sept. 7-12.

NCFP executive director Willie Abalos said the champion in the chess challenge will receive P40,000, the runner-up will get P20,000 and the third placer will earn P15,000.

PRES. GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO CUP INTERNATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 6 - 13, 2008

Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Paranaque City

- open to all players with FIDE rating of 2200 and above.

- 9 rounds Swiss System

- 90 minutes with increment of 30 seconds per move

- Total cash prize of $ 40,000, as follows:

1^st US$ 6,000

2^nd US$ 5,000

3^rd US$ 4,000

4^th US$ 3,000

5^th US$ 2,000

6^th US$ 1,500

7^th US$ 1,300

8^th US$ 1,200

9^th -14^th US$ 1,000

15^th US$ 900

16^th US$ 800

17^th US$ 700

18^th US$ 600

19^th-32^nd US$ 500

download details and registration form

4th PROSPERO PICHAY JR. CUP INTERNATIONAL

CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 13 - 20, 2008

Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Paranaque City

- open to all players with FIDE rating of 2200 and above.

- 9 rounds Swiss System

- 90 minutes with increment of 30 seconds per move

- Total cash prize of $ 30,000, as follows:

1^st US$ 5,000

2^nd US$ 4,000

3^rd US$ 3,000

4^th US$ 2,000

5^th US$ 1,500

6^th-13^th US$ 1,000

14^th US$ 900

15^th US$ 800

16^th US$ 700

17^th US$ 600

18^th-24^th US$ 500

download details and registration form