By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
PROMOTED from Arena International Master (AIM) to Arena Grandmaster (AGM) this year, Engr. Rey C. Urbiztondo ― the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines’ team owner of Mindanao’s Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates ― celebrates his newly-obtained online chess title by throwing a fiesta chess tournament for his townmates.
Dubbed as “Fiesta Open Online Chess Tournament 2021,” it will be played starting today with the exclusive event for Caraga region pawnpushers, followed by the Open division on September 11 from 8 to 10 pm.
A total of P10,000 in total cash prizes will be up for grabs in the two-day chess fest supported by King Itom of SNNHS Batch ‘79, and carrying the theme: Best move, stay at home. Play chess.
“Perting mingawa ang fiesta sa Surigao labi na gi-elevate ang status sa Caraga to ECQ (General Community Quarantine) bawal ang tapok-tapok. At least, madasig ra sila ining online tourney,” said AGM Urbiztondo.
Obtaining the title at the age of 58, the former bank region head Urbiztondo said he could not be happier as he considered the “AGM” as the highest award for the working chess-playing executives like him.
“For me, tsamba lang kini nga achievement so, i-share nato ang blessings to our fellow chess players around the country,” said Urbiztondo, who was first conferred of the AIM title in 2020 by Fédération Internationale des Échecs (Fide) President Arkady Dvorkovich.
Fide is the world governing body of chess.
As of Thursday, the Open section already attracted 230 entries nationwide and is still counting.
The champion will run away with the lion’s share of P2,000 plus Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates jersey, courtesy of Junjun Jabay.
Second and third placers will receive P1,000 and P500 each, respectively. The rest of the top-10 finishers will settle for P300 apiece.
Special prizes are P200 each for the top kiddy, top female, top senior, and three top Surigaonons.
