By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

International Masters Joel Pimentel and Ricky de Guzman alongside National Master Rodolfo Toledo are expected to lead the long list of international chess players seeing action in the Cong. Greg Gasataya Inter-Barangay Chess Team Championship and Kiddies Chess Tournament 2nd Leg on May 20-21 at the Bacolod City Government Center.
IM Pimentel (2329) last saw action in Bacolod last year when he competed at the Negros Open tournament against GM Rogelio ‘Joey’ Antonio, GM Darwin Laylo, and eventual champion IM Ronald Dableo.
IM de Guzman (2392) is a former Asian junior champion who has ruled several international tournaments in Asia and the U.S., while NM Toledo (2312) is a Chess Olympiad player.
Other notable names to join the tournament are Bangkok Open campaigners Ernie Abanco, Ellan Asuela, and Eden Agape Tumbos, to name a few.
However, 1st Leg champions Mansilingan-A can’t be set aside as they could still pull another stunning performance in the tournament with Reginald dela Peña, Doughlas Perez, Joseph Navarra and Clark Ken Pelione expected to return on board.
Meanwhile, last leg’s runners-up Alijis and Bata are still the tournament’s favorite.
The champion team gets P10,000 cash prize while the 1st runner-up will receive P7,000; 3rd place – P5,000; 4th place – P3,000; 5th place – P2,500; 6th place – P1,500; 7th place – P1,200; 8th place – P1,000; 9th place –P800; and 10th place – P600.
On the other hand, the kiddies’ category will feature 14U boys and 16U girls. Prizes are also at stake for the top winners./WDJ