SANTO TOMAS, BATANGAS — The Rotary International District 3820 is set to host an Open Rapid chess tournament at SM City in Santo Tomas, Batangas, on June 8. The event aims to raise funds to provide prescription eyeglasses for 300 students at Pulong Sta. Cruz Elementary School in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
According to Philippines News Agency, Arena Grandmaster Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo will headline the tournament, which will also feature notable participants such as US Master Rodolfo Panopio Jr., National Master Efren Arguelles, Arnel Pinero, and Bren Sasot. The competition, sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, will operate under a seven-round Swiss system format, with each game allowing 15 minutes plus a five-second delay.
The tournament will offer significant cash prizes across various categories, with the Open Division awarding PHP15,000 to the champion, and descending amounts down to PHP1,000 for the seventh to fifteenth places. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers, and medals for those placing fourth to fifteenth.
Additionally, champions in several specialized categories, including Executive, Senior, Kiddies, Lady, as well as skill-based categories like 2000 and below, 1900 and below, 1800 and below, unrated, and specifically for Batangas players, will receive PHP1,000 and medals.
Arena Grandmaster Dr. Fred Paez extended an invitation to chess enthusiasts both locally and internationally, highlighting the tournament's dual objective: to support educational needs through fundraising and to promote chess at the grassroots level to discover and nurture future talents.
Interested participants are encouraged to register with a fee of PHP500, payable through the GCash number provided by Noel Balderas at 0917-1370430.