ONE-HUNDRED-NINETY-SIX young players display their wares when the 2017 National Age-Group Chess Championships come off the wraps at the Robinsons Galleria in Cebu City on May 3.
Culled from the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao qualifying legs with bets from Cebu beefing up the roster, the finalists vie for Team Philippines slots in an international age-group tourney in November.
On tap are competitions in the U8 age bracket, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18 and U20 for both boys and girls.
Presented by the Province of Cebu and Marty Pimentel, the chess fest is sponsored by Robinsons Galleria and Cebu City Sports Commission, with Philippine Sports Commission extending support and National Chess Federation of the Philippines organizing it.
NCFP Chairman and President Prospero Pichay, Jr., Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez deliver inspirational messages during the opening ceremony preceding the hostilities.
CCSC Chairman Edward Hayco welcomes the athletes, officials and guests while Cebu Provincial Sports Commission Executive Director Ramil Abing introduces the guest speakers.
NCFP Provincial Sports Coordinator Edilberto Velarde, Jr. declares the NAGCC open, and Commissioner Fernandez and consistent ASEAN age-group chess championships medalist Jerish Velarde will do the ceremonial moves.
NCFP Executive Director Red Dumuk, a FIDE Arbiter acts as Tournament Director with International Arbiters James Infiesto and Wilfredo Neri serving as chief arbiters for boys and girls, respectively.
Also backing the NAGCC are Department of Education and PSC-Cebu.
Cebu City owns the Guinness world record for the biggest chess tournament, drawing 43,157 participants from public schools.