MISAMIS Occidental Governor Henry Oaminal Sr, who managed a draw during the simultaneous display of Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre in the recent Asenso MisOcc Open Chess Tournament, presided over the 7th season opening of the Philippine Chess League on Sunday night, July 23 via online zoom ceremonial rites.
Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo, the other player who drew with the World Chess Hall of Famer Torre, introduced the chess-loving governor as a key speaker in kick-starting the resumption of the country's premier amateur online chess tourney.
“Not only Mindanao but the entire Philippine chess community can benefit from the valuable chess commitment of Governor Oaminal. We are so lucky that somebody like him came to the rescue of grassroots chess development,” Urbiztondo told Gold Star Daily.
The wards of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter Unabia were among those invited to the Asenso MisOcc rapid chess event where they competed well led by Johnnel Balquin’s runner-up finish in the Open division and the title win of Arena Fide Master Janin Dhrey Querequere in the elementary category.
Now taking his chess allegiance to the national level, Governor Oaminal pledged P60,000 for the P30,000 cash prizes each in brackets A and B rivalries of the PCL chessfest.
Playing for Bracket A are the Malolos City Chess Club, White Knights Chess Club, Surigao Diamond Knights, Davao Durianburgs Stallions, and PPKGCC-MCL Knights Team.
Competing for Bracket B are the PFCC Wild Knights Team, PPKGCC Kings Team, The Great Dragon of Chess, Bicol Chess Players Advocates, TFCC Chess Movers Club, and Asenso Misamis Occidental Federated Chess Association.
