by Marlon Bernardino
LUCBAN, Quezon---It's the turn of Woman Fide Master (WFM) Sheerie Joy Lomibao after such a long hiatus take center stage with the staging of 9th leg National Executive Chess Championship dubbed as 2019 Grandmaster Rosendo Balinas Sr. Chess Cup which begins on Saturday here at the Zurea Hotel, La Purisima Concepcion St., Lucban, Quezon.
The Canada based Lomibao,a former National Womens' Open Champion and World Chess Olympiad member is in a sparring training with International Master (IM) Ronald Bancod as part of her preparation.
The one-day rapid event is open to all qualified members of Philippine Executive Chess Association backed up by engr. Antonio "Tony" Carreon Balinas according to tournament director Joselito Cada.
Philippine Executive Chess Association president Dr. Jenny Mayor added that the tournament will be played in a 7-round Swiss System format, 20 minutes with five seconds delay with the winner in the Open division (2000 and above NCFP rating) taking home P7,000 plus trophy, second place P5,000 plus medal, third place P3,000 plus medal, fourth place P2,000 plus medal and fifth place P1,500 plus medal.
Special prizes for the Top 2200 and below, Top 2100 and below and Top Senior will also likewise to receive P1,000 each plus medals.
In the challenger's division (1999 and below), the champion will earn P6,000 plus a trophy. The second placer will get P3,000 plus a medal, the third placer will pocket P2,000 plus a medal, the fourth placer will bring home P1,500 plus a medal and the fifth placer will receive P1,000 plus a medal.
Special prizes for the Top 1800 and below, Top Senior and Top Unrated will receive P1,000 each plus medals.
Registration for the NCFP-sanctioned event is P1,000 , on-site registration is P1,200 while annual membership is P1,000.
Call or text the following persons for complete details, Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe (09188974410), Dr. Jenny Mayor (09351004755), Dr. Fred Paez (09212728172), Mr. Joselito Cada (09175117300), Mr. Martin "Binky" Gaticales (09998851432) and NM Efren Bagamasbad (09157209145).-Marlon Bernardino-