by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---inaasahang mapapasabak ng husto sina Fide Master Ellan Asuela ng Bacolod City, National Master Levi Mercado ng Cagayan de Oro City at 1997 Philippine Junior Champion National Master Elwin Retanal ng Carcar, Cebu sa pagtulak ng 4th Congressman Rufus Rodriguez at 1st Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez chess tournament na iinog sa Enero 28 hanggang 29, ganap n 9 am sa Barangay Nazareth Gym sa Cagayan de Oro City.

"We do this to promote chess in the grassroots level and to discover future chess talents and champions," sabi ni Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chess Association (CMOCA) president Father Vic Arellano
“It will be a very tough match against the Mindanao players. Not to be outdone are players from the Luzon and Visayas,”sambit naman ni Asuela, sariwa pa sa paghahari sa Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific (KCFAP) Absolute Challenge nitong Dis. 23-25 na ginanap sa Peace Centre sa Singapore. Natangap ni Asuela ang 2,000 Singapore dollars matapos magkampeon.
Ang iba pang woodpushers na lalahok sa competition na suportado nina Congressman Rufus Rodriguez at  Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez ay sina Bobby Salomon, Benoni at Napthali Wabe, Jun Gunayan, Romeo at Ronald Canino, Aljie Cantonjos, Bryan Jose, Ruther Barredo, Jonathan Docot, Harison Maamo, Jaime Joshua Frias II, Randolph Dalauta, Johnnel Balquin, Basilio Pandan, Jeriel Manlimbana, Rodney Opada, Clement Valledor at  Keith Adriane Ilar.  
Ang magkakampeon sa Individual Open division ay mag-uuwi ng P10,000 plus trophy habang ang magwawagi sa under 14 category ay tatangap ng P2,000 at trophy.
Mag call o text sa 09065246812 at 09914381476 para sa dagdag detalye.-Marlon Bernardino-