The country’s top young players get the chance to prove their mettle against foreign rivals when the first East Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships is held May 26 to June 5 at Tagaytay International Convention Center.
Expected to lead the Philippine bid are International Master Paolo Bersamina, rated 2419, Jerad Docena, Candidate Master John Merill Jacutina and John Marvin Miciano.
Touted to head the Filipinos’ campaign in the girls’ division are Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza and Allaney Jia Doroy.
“We are organizing this new event in the Philippines in order to give a chance for our young players to get the Grandmaster norm or International Master title,” said Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino, secretary general of the World Chess Federation (Fide) .
Entitled to participate in the 9-round Swiss event are players from East Asian countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Burma (Myanmar), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. For details, call Patrick Lee at 0995-5421266.