PUERTO PRINCESA CITY?Resurgent Grandmaster Buenaventura ?Bong? Villamayor heads a cast of rated national players vying for the 7th Gov. Joel T. Reyes National Open Chess Championship that opened Wednesday at the Capitol Multipurpose Hall.

Fresh from strong finishes in the recently concluded Subic International and Philippine Open tournaments, Villamayor tows four International Masters in the FIDE-rated tournament participated in by over 30 other local chess players.

Tournament director Willy Abalos, secretary general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), said also vying for the FIDE rated tournament?s top prize of P50,000 are International Master Ronald Bancod, IM Richard Bitoon, IM Barlo Nadera, FIDE Masters Oliver Barbosa and Roderick Nava, National Master Mirabeau Maga, NM Rostum Tolentino and NM Allan Arinos.

NCPF director Romeo Serratubias said the four-day tournament is being held as part of the annual anniversary celebration of Palawan. Redempto Anda, Inquirer Southern Luzon