By Lynde Salgados
Correspondent
WITH the 2020 Summer Olympic Games nearly coming to an end and virus threats still prevailing around the globe, avid chess fans in Mindanao have found it safe and wise to initiate another online chess tourney that will involve a wide range of participation from grassroots talents in the provinces.
“Sooner or later, the Tokyo Games which provide us entertainment at home through cyber viewing will be over. And then, very stressful kaayo ang pandemic that we need an avenue to desperately keep our sane mind while continuing the development of chess in Mindanao,” said Arena International Master (AIM) Rey Urbiztondo, who initiated the developmental program that gained a Mindanao-wide approval from leading chess aficionados in the island.
Introducing the Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates as the flagship team will spearhead the so-called Mindanao Chess Tour Friendship Online Games starting August 7 with a series of team matches.
The Surigao team’s quarter slots in the just-concluded 2nd Conference of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) in the company of Mindanao compatriot ― the Zamboanga Sultans ― had also inspired them to further solidify its roster.
Its tentative lineup now includes Grandmaster Enrico Sevillano, NM Jonathan Tan, AGM Henry Lopez, Lennon Hart Salgados, FM Vince Alaan, Tyrone Alaan, Cyrus Donasco, Rogelio Canoy, Roberto Reyna, Antonio Chavez Jr., AIM Rey C. Urbiztondo, Fr. Vic Arellano, Engr. .Allan Diez, Joselito Serna, Jessa Mae Lisondra and Zsuzsa Tabudlong.
“Since bakasyon pa ang team nato and also in preparation for the 3rd Conference of the first Professional Chess League in the country, ato sa ipatuyok ang Surigao Checkmates for a series of chess matches in Mindanao on every Saturday,” said Urbiztondo.
The Fianchetto Checkmates will first play with Caraga on Aug. 7, Northern Mindanao (Aug. 14), Southern Mindanao/Davao (Aug. 21), and Western Mindanao/Zamboanga (Aug. 28).
The Normin squad, anchored by Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Iligan players, are expected to provide the GM Sevillano-led Surigao a stiff challenge with the likes of International Masters Richelieu Salcedo III and Rogelio Vuelban, FIDE Master Rustum Tolentino, National Masters Levi Mercado, and Roly Tan, Johnnel Balquin, Nazario Ubanan, Christian Arroyo, Alfredo Rapanot, Silverio Abasolo, Victor Lluch, Bength Largo, Doming Oga, Ruben Cabading, Mary Joy Tan and Woman National Master Loreshyl Cuizon in their equally-solid frontlines.
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