Shell and Cesafi chess

Thursday, August 13, 2009



Frank 'Boy” Pestaño
Chessmoso

SINCE 1992, the Shell companies in the Philippines have promoted and sponsored the biggest annual competition among kiddies and juniors held in strategically located sites nationwide.

To date, tens of thousands of youngsters have been motivated and credit playing chess as an activity that has positively contributed to enriching their lives.

The tournament is open to all Filipino non-titled chess players who are bona fide students and are certified by their respective school registrars or principals.

Out-of-school youth may also join the tournament.

There will be two categories—Juniors for the 20 years old and below (born not earlier than 1989) and the Kiddies for the 14 years old and below (born not earlier than 1995).

The top three players in each category will proceed to the grand finals.

Children have come to appreciate the values that the game of chess has taught them—discipline, diligence, sense of fair play, maturity and responsibility.

Among the winners who have graduated from the ranks of tournaments and gained prominence in the field of chess are GM Wesley So, GM Nelson Mariano III, GM Mark Paragua, GM Darwin Laylo, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Bong Villamayor, WIM Arianne Caoili, IM Ian Cris Udani, FM Ildefonso Datu, NM Onofre Espiritu Jr., NM Arlan Cabe, NM Rodolfo Panopio Jr., NM Elmer Sumangat, NM Rodolfo Diaz Jr., NM Virgilio Vuelban, NM Exfelicos Bolico, NM Romeo Alcodia, NM Herbert Ciocon, NM Roland Perez and NM Roland Castro.

There is now a big problem though as far as participation is concerned. Cesafi has a standing rule that during their tournament proper, the players cannot play in other tournaments. This means that varsity players of the member schools cannot participate in this year’s regional elimination, which will start this Saturday and Sunday at SM City.

Since it’s just a matter of scheduling, Shell should respect Cesafi’s guidelines since most of the good players come from the 10 member schools. I believe that the same predicament is also happening in Manila and other regions.

Also, there is such a thing as inflation. With prizes set for first place for Kiddies at P4,000 and Juniors at P5,000, these amounts are a pittance.

Shell can afford much, much more. There are also special awards for the youngest player, top eight-year-old, overall top female player, sportsmanship award, and the most represented school in the kiddies and juniors divisions.

I also have a message to tournament players—it’s only a game and very few individuals can make it a career. Do not take it seriously as to affect your main objective which is to get a good education. It must enhance life, not dominate it. If you lose perspective because of the game then chess is not for you.

SELMA CUP. The top chess players troop to Minglanilla next weekend, for the Mayor Eduardo Selma Chess Cup, which starts 9 a.m. at the Minglanilla Sports Complex.

The format is seven rounds Swiss with 26 minutes per player, play to finish. Registration is P100 in the Open category, P50 for kiddies and P200 for the Executive level (handicapping).

First prize winners for the open, kiddies and executives divisions is P3,000,P1,000 and P1,500, respectively.

Prizes will be awarded up to sixth place in the Open and Kiddies category and up to fourth place for Executives.

The champions will also get trophies donated by Apollo Dante.

The tournament organizer is Blas Hipulan, while arbiters are Marvin Ruelan and Tony Cabibil.

The proceeds of this competition will go to the Knights of Columbus , Minglanilla Council. For more info, you may call Hipulan at 0920-9021370 or Ruelan 0916423233