A classic duel between two grandmasters

By Frank “Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

THE talk of the town among chess players is the ongoing duel between Grandmasters Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio in a six-game match last Monday at the Quezon City Hall. The match started with a draw last Monday, followed by a win by Antonio despite having the black pieces in the second game at Tomas Morato last Wednesday.

The match is dubbed as the QC Chess Road Show and is backed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte and QC Majority Floor leader Councilor Ariel Inton and some corporate sponsors.

It will be recalled that Joey defeated Eugene in 1998, 6.5-5.5, in a match that was promoted as the Centennial Chess Duel. Only one game was decided and the rest were draws.

Other venues will be at the La Loma district today, Tandang Sora Shrine (July 28), Pugad Lawin shrine (Aug. 1) and Gateway Mall in Araneta Center (Aug. 4). In case of a tie, a 7th game will be held at the Eastwood, Libis.

Although the total pot has not been divulged to the media and public, P200,000 is being mentioned, though I’m not certain.

Pichay Memorial Chess patron Bogie Lim and Cesar Caturla, personal assistant of NCFP president Prospero Pichay, sent me messages that the Fifth Prospero Pichay Memorial Tournament will be held in Cantilan, Surigao on Aug. 12 to 15 next month. The total prize money is P300,000 with P100,000 going for the first placer, P50,000 for the second placer, and P30,000 for the third placer.

There will also be prizes up to the 25th placer. Registration is only P200 and it is expected that a big delegation from Cebu will be competing together with the country’s top players.

CEPCA. Our monthly tournament was recently held at Deep Blue SM City and the winner was Felix Poloyapoy Jr. with Joe Atillo at 2nd. New member Boy Gallardo and Mike Banebane were tied at third and fourth.

In the Kiddies Category, which was held at the Opascor Bldg., The winner was John Francis Balbona. The other placers were Raymond Abellana, Efren Tonolite, Neil Adrian Gelig and John Kevin Linihan.

The Juniors monthly winner is Nikki Sabiquil with the following placers, Marq Gabrielle Balbona, Godfrey Villamor, Gerald Miral, Justin Misa and Bernardo Ruelo.

The sponsors for the Kiddies and Juniors tournaments were Atty. Tomas Riveral and NM Bombi Aznar.

NEW MEMBERS. We had several new members this month. Boy Gallardo is a businessman whose favorite players are Bobby Fischer and current World Champion Vishy Anand. He also knows how to play Japanese Chess, Shogi, with a playing strength of First Dan.

Joel Sarausad‘s favorite sports are chess and boxing and is in sales and accounting. He says that he hopes to play more competitive chess from now on as he is not getting any younger.

Renerio Baya is a software consultant of Esprint Software, Mandaue City. He is a CPA and a graduate of Ateneo de Zamboanga.

There were two other new members but their application forms are currently not available. I will introduce them next week.

Rose Open Tournament director and arbiter Marvin Ruelan announced that the Rose Open tourney will start tomorrow up to Sunday at the Mabolo Sports Center starting at 1 p.m. Total prizes to be awarded is P8,000. Format is 7 rounds Swiss with time control set at 40 minutes per player, play to finish. Registration is P100.

TALISAY. Their monthly tourney will also start tomorrow 11 a.m. at South Central Square, Lawaan. Format is seven rounds Swiss with time control of 30 minutes. Registration is free for Kiddies, P50 for juniors and P80 for 23 and above.

Sponsors are Cepca members Jojo Paredes, Jongjong Melendez, Richard Abangan and Mer Fernandez. Other sponsors are Baylon Tolentin, Pepsi-Cola and the Rural Bank of Carmen.

OPEN. Watch for the Cepca Invitational Blitz tournament tentatively scheduled on Aug. 3, next month. Those who will play will be 12 to 15 selected players from Cepca and 20 invited players. Total prize money is P8,000.