Pacquiao to celebrate birthday  with chess players in inaugural NUCFP tournament

THE merry month of December gets even merrier with the staging of the National United Chess Federation of the Philippines (NUCFP) Chairman Manny Pacquiao 48th Birthday International Open Chess Championships on Dec. 13-15 in General Santos City.

More than P1.5 million in guaranteed cash prizes are at stake in the prestigious three-day tournament organized by the NUCFP in cooperation with the Pacman Chess Association, Professional Chess Association of  the Philippines and One Chess Movement and the local government of General Santos City.

“This will  be NUCFP’s opening salvo. Our NUCFP Chairman Manny Pacquiao is celebrating his 48th birthday on Dec. 17 and we would like to thank all the players and clubs and associations for supporting the NUCFP,” said NUCFP President Atty. Paul Elauria.

Elauria said Pacquiao and all the other NUCFP founding officers will personally interact with players during the tournament and hear their suggestions on how to improve local chess.

“As NUCFP’s guiding principle, the tournament  is open to all chess players. Whether you belong to NUCFP,  NCFP,  another chess organization, or no federation at all, you are welcome. There will be no federation membership requirement as a condition for participation,” added Elauria.

“With the support of Manny Pacquiao, the initiative of Pacman Chess Association, and the sanctioning of NUCFP, we hope to set a new standard for inclusive, rewarding, and player-centered chess competitions in the Philippines.”

The champion  of the first-ever NUCFP- sanctioned tournament will pocket the lion’s share of P500,000 and trophy, the runner-up will earn  P250,000 and the  third placer will get P150,000.

The fourth placer will receive P100,00 and trophy, the fifth up to the eighth places will get P30,000 and the ninth up to the 15th places will get P10,000.

Cash prizes and medals will be given all the way to the 50th placer.

Special prizes of P5,000 and medal will also be given to the top Senior, Lady, High School , Elementary and GenSan players.

As a side event, the interclub tournament  will also follow, with major prizes at stake. 

This companion event is expected to add even more excitement to the festival of chess and give clubs another major platform to compete, represent their teams, and fight for top honors.

Aside from Pacquiao and Elaura, the other NUCF founding officers are Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, Vice Chairman; two-time University of Mindanao champion and 2024 National IBP champion Atty. Jose Dionisio “Jong” Guevarra, Vice President; Pacman Chess Association president Orly Ortega, Vice President; One Chess Movement founder Ariel Potot, Treasurer; Mr. Tony Aguirre, Auditor; Dr. Melben Jochico, Corporate Secretary; and Atty. Rey Rabago, Assistant Corporate Secretary.

NUCFP is also making the registration fees more affordable to enable more players to join.

Registration fees are: P4,000 for NUCFP Gold members and PCA members, P5,000 for NUCFP regular members, and P8,000 for non-members.