UP-APO Patinikan sa Chess begins on February 24

By Marlon Bernardino PhilBoxing.com Wed, 19 Feb 2020

The biggest chess competition in the Philippines this year - the University of the Philippines-Alpha Phi Omega-Patinikan sa Chess (Invitational Tournament)-gets underway on February 24, 2020 (Monday) at the Magno Hall, UP DMST Ylanan Road, UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City.

This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by Project Director Raymond Linsangan.

"We expect this year's competition to be just as successful," Linsangan said, a former director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

"University of the Philippines-Alpha Phi Omega-Patinikan sa Chess is a chess cup dedicated to the memory of Brother Francis C. Cantre, 74-C, E Pluribus Batch. Brod Francis was a lawyer and expert level chess player," added tournament director International Master Ronald Bancod.

Coming off a winning performance at the Hong Bao Rating Tournament 2020 (Open division), at the Singapore Chess Federation Conference Room in Bishan, Singapore last January 25 to 27, 2020, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo is looking to follow-up that victory.

He also won the January edition of Asean Chess Academy (ACA) Rapid Chess Tournament last January 5, 2020 at the Bukit Timah Shopping Centre in Singapore.

Laylo, is one of the top players of multi-titled Philippine Army chess team playing under the banner of Usec Lieutenant General, AFP (Ret.) Arthur Tabaquero (AFP Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs) and Col. Dexter Macasaet (Director, SSC, IMCOM, PA).

Other Filipino talents expected for the contest in the Open category include 13-times Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., International Masters Hamed Nouri, Ronald Dableo, Roel Abelgas, Yves Ranola, Rolando Nolte, Chito Garma, Daniel Quizon, Michael Concio and Eric Labog, Fide Masters Alekhine Nouri, Christopher Castellano, Leonardo Carlos and Randy Segarra, National Master Nick Nisperos, United States Chess Master Jojo Aquino and Candidate Master Christopher Rodriguez.

Country's youngest Woman Fide Master Antonella Berthe "Tonelle" Murillo Racasa, 12 year old and a grade 6 pupil of VCIS - Home School Global is heading the list of participants in the women's section.-Marlon Bernardino-

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UP-APO Patinikan sa Chess begins on February 24 - PhilBoxing.com