The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
ALL chess roads lead to Iloilo City this November as the much-awaited Chess Legend: GM Eugene Torre 75th Birthday National Rapid Open and Team Tatluhan Chess Championships finally get underway on November 4–8.
Torre, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and One Chess Movement president Ariel Potot will share center stage during the formal opening ceremony at the Diamond Jubilee Hall located at Mabini St., Iloilo City.
Torre, who made history by becoming Asia’s first grandmaster at the 21st Chess Olympiad in Nice, France, in 1974, traces his roots to Iloilo City.
Also scheduled on Nov. 4 are the opening of the GM Torre Exhibit, the launching of the Commemorative Coffee Table book, and a welcome dinner with raffle draws.
The five-day celebration, supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), will continue with the first round of the Rapid Open Championships on November 5 starting at 8 a.m.
The two-day rapid competition will run until Friday, November 6.
The Team Tatluhan event will take place on November 7–8.
“It will be a November to remember for the local chess community. Iloilo City, headed by Mayor Treñas, and OCM are honored to be a part of this 75th birthday celebration of GM Torre,” said Potot.
Potot said the all-out support of Mayor Treñas and the people of Iloilo, the “City of Love,” make the once-in-a-lifetime event honoring Torre possible.
At stake in the Rapid Open tournament scheduled for November 5–6 are cash prizes, with the champion bringing home the lion’s share of P50,000 and a trophy.
The runner-up will earn P25,000, the third placer will pocket P15,000, the fourth placer P10,000, and the fifth placer P8,000.
Cash prizes will also be given to the 6th through 20th placers.
The top individual performers in the Senior, Junior, Lady, and Kiddies categories will also get cash prizes, alongside the top three players from host Iloilo.
In the Team Tatluhan scheduled on Nov. 7–8 at the same venue, the champion will pocket the top prize of P100,000.
The runner-up will get P50,000, the third placer P30,000, the fourth placer P20,000, and the fifth placer P15,000.
The 6th through 15th placers will also bring home cash prizes.