Davaoeno chesser targets crown in 2021 National Executive Chess Championship

 

International Arbiter/Fide Trainer James Infiesto. Photo: Marlon Bernardino

DAVAO CITY---A veteran male woodpusher who traces his roots here is one of the participants of the tough 2021 National Executive Chess Championship (Online Chess Tournament) on February 18.

International Arbiter/Fide Trainer James Infiesto hopes to win the P5,000 top prize in the chessfest organized by the Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA).

Infiesto who is also the region 11 director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is one of the favorites to win the crown this year.

Out to challenge Infiesto for the crown are Zamboanga Sultans members Dr. Jenny Mayor of Cajidiocan, Romblon and Ateneo de Zamboanga University Sports Director Prof. Rey Reyes of Zamboanga City.

Mayor, a seven-time Philippines Executive Chess Champion is expected to give Infiesto a tough challenge this year.

Reyes also hopes to pull an upset in the tournament especially that the Sultans are playing well in the ongoing first professional chess league in the Philippines.

Aside from the three, the other participants of the tournament are Social Security System Senior Custodian Dioniver "Bobot" Medrano of Butuan City, ASEAN Secretariat, Indonesia Senior Officer, Project Management Engr. Jasper Rom, Infopro Business Solutions Inc, Manager Leonard Raymond Reyes of Paranaque, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 

Election Officer Leonardo Navarro of Cabanatuan City, Airliquide Philippines Inc, Operation Manager Engr. Novo Tuazon and Accenture Software Engineer Lead Norbert Ago.

The playing format of the tournament will be a nine-round Swiss system with a time control of five minutes for each player.

"Open to all qualified PECA members, it is a nine-round Swiss system, five minutes event format. Zoom is required during play," said Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) president Dr. Alfredo "Fred" Paez, who is also Assistant Executive Director for Southern Luzon of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

The champion will receive P5,000 while the second P3,000, third P2,000 fourth P1,000, and fifth P700. 

Sixth to 10th placers will pocket P500 each. The top Senior (60 years old and above), 

Lady, 2100 and below, 2000 and below, 1900 and below, 1800 and below and unrated will each earn P500.

For more details, call or text the following contact persons: AGM Fred Paez (09212728172), Mr. Joselito Cada (09499981949), Mr. Dioniver Medrano (09213201752) and FM Jose Efren Bagamasbad (09147209145).(Romeo Braceros Jr.)