The Knights of Columbus holds the Nationwide Youth Chess Tournament 2024 dubbed “2nd Eugene Torre Cup” unfurling this weekend at the Gateway Mall 2 Activity Center in Cubao.
A total of 360 participants are seeing action in this two-day meet and battle each other in rapid and blitz in four age categories—18 and under boys and girls, 15 and under boys and girls, 12 and under boys and girls and nine and under boys and girls.
Organized and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, a total cash purse worth P300,000 plus trophies, medals and certificates will be given away to winners.
The event, which is backed by FIDE, Eugene Torre Chess Museum and Philippine Arbiters Chess Confederation, Inc., is also aimed at producing future talents in the molds of Torre, who owns the distinction as Asia’s very first Grandmaster.
“That’s the goal, to produce future champions and Grandmasters,” said NCFP chief executive officer GM Jayson Gonzales.
Also gracing today’s opener are NCFP chairman/president Prospero Pichay, Jr., former Senator Gringo Honasan, Department of Human Settlements and Urban secretary Jerry Acuzar and former Congressman Mat Defensor.
Ivan Travis Cu, a 15-year-old National Master, topped the premier boys 18-under section in the first edition of this event staged last year at the Robinson’s Galleria in Pasig.