CEPCA’s Prexy Jerry chessfest set today

A slew of chess masters will test each other’s mettle in the Cebu Executives and Professionals Chess Association (CEPCA) Prexy Jerry Open Tournament today at the Barracks Chess Club in Robinsons Galleria Cebu. Game time starts at 11 am.

Leading the cast of top contenders are International Master Joel Pimentel and National Masters Merben Roque, Rogelio Enriquez Jr., Arnold Cadiz and Jerish John Velarde, who is coming off a successful campaign at the ASEAN AgeGroup Championships where de delivered two gold medals for Team Philippines.

Also seeing action in CEPCA’s first over-the-board tilt since the outbreak of the global pandemic over two years ago are Richard Natividad, Lincoln Yap, Bhel Ortiz, Allan Pason, Antonio Cabibil, Carlos Moreno III, Joel Pacuribot, Cyril Ortega, Ceferino Vizco, Cephas Seguisabal, Venancio Loyola Jr., Amado Olea and Rey Flores.

A birthday offering of longtime CEPCA president Engr. Jerry Maratas, the nineround Swiss system competition dangles a total of P20,000 in cash prize for the winners.

The champion will pocket P5,000 while the second to fifth placers will take home P3,000, P2,000, P1,000 and P700, respectively. The sixth to 15th will receive P500 each.

The top three Cepcans (A and B), on the other hand, will get a bonus of P500 as well as the top senior, lady and kiddie players. —