Philippines to host ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships-Governor Henry Oaminal Cup

FILIPINOS eyeing the Grandmaster (GM) title would get the chance to realize their dream as the country hosts the ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships-Governor Henry Oaminal Cup slated Nov. 2 to 10 at the Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park considered.

Tournament organizers promised to draw more than the four GMs and six International Masters (IM) required for the eventual champion in the open section to earn an automatic GM title.

And aspirants like IMs Michael Concio, Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia and FIDE Masters (FM) Christian Gian Karlo Arca, Alekhine Nouri and Ivan Travis Cu are expected to pounce on the opportunity and join the meet co-organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and Misamis Occidental.

Also staked are an IM title and a GM norm for the runner-up and an IM title for the second runner-up in the Open side while a woman GM title will be on the line in the women’s division of this ASEAN Chess Confederation-sanctioned event.

Filipino GMs Daniel Quizon, John Paul Gomez, Joey Antonio and Darwin Laylo as well as WGM Janelle Mae Frayna should see action in the event that will also be backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Chess Notes: Filipinos Jan Clifford Labog (U2000), Paul Christian Barroga (U1700) and Yana Emilou de Vera (W1700) topped their respective divisions in the just concluded Asian Amateur Championships in Hong Kong. Also delivering medals were FM Roel Abelgas (U2300) and Allaney Jia Doroy (W2000, who both copped the silver. — Joey Villar