AFPI holds first major chess event in Cebu this weekend
The Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) will stage its first ever major chess tournament in the Queen City of the South billed as the '2017 National Rapid and Blitz Team Chess Championships' this weekend at the Knight Attack Chess Cafe
"Since we ventured into organizing chess tournaments way back in 2011, this is the first time that we're holding it in Cebu. There are a lot of chess enthusiasts here. This is just the starting point of an even bigger chess events in Cebu in the coming years," said AFPI President retired Gen. Pedro Biasbas in a press conference the other night at Knight Attack.
Founded in 1937, AFPI is an association of active and retired Artillery men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Biasbas said their “Chess For a Cause” is for the benefit of scholarship program of its members and dependents and likewise for its other well meaning civic and humanitarian projects all over the country.
Biasbas was joined by Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence President GM Jayson Gonzales and Janelle Mae Frayna, who holds the distinction as the first Woman Grand Master of the Philippines, in launching the two-day tilt sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
"We want to inspire and motivate the youth especially the lady players here in Cebu to further enhance their skills and reach for their goals. Nothing is impossible if you have hard work, passion and dedication in everything you do," said the 21year-old Frayna, who will be holding a 20-board simultaneous exhibition against kiddie and lady players at 10:30 a.m. today.
The cash-rich event offers close to P100,000 in cash prize for the winners in rapid and blitz.
Aside from trophies, medals and personalized chess sets for each member, the champion in the rapid action will pocket P25,000, while the second and third placers will receive P15,000 and P10,000, respectively. The fourth to seventh will take home P7,000, P5,000, P4,000 and P3,000.
The blitz champ, on the other hand, will go home P12,000 richer, while the second to sixth will take P9,000, P6,000, P5,000, P3,000 and P1,500.
The board medallists will get P2,500, P2,000 and P1,500 for the rapid and P2,000, P1,500 and P1,000 for blitz.
Each team shall be composed of three players with an average Elo rating of 2050 and must only have one titled player.
Entry fee is pegged at P3,000 per team but a discounted rate of P2,300 (per event) will be given to teams that will compete in both rapid and blitz. Onsite registration will start at 10:30 a.m. today, while the tournament proper begins at 1 p.m.