DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/13 Jan) – The 3rd Kidapawan Open Chess Championship gets underway on February 12 to 13 at the Kidapawan Convention Center.
International Master Oliver Barbosa is expected to defend his crown in the two-day tournament, which is one of the sporting highlights in Kidapawan City’s founding anniversary.
Top woodpushers across the country, especially those from various cities and municipalities in Mindanao, are expected to compete in the chessfest organized by the Kidapawan Chess Club and backed by the city government of Kidapawan headed by Mayor Dodong Gantuangco.
International Master Richard Bitoon and Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City are among the rated players expected to participate, organizers said.
Last year, the major cities in Mindanao were well-represented in the tournament as rated and non-rated players from Davao, Cotabato, Digos, Malita, Panabo, Cagayan de Oro, Koronadal, General Santos and host Kidapawan took part.
The Manila-based Barbosa ruled the tournament after garnering six points on five wins and two draws in the seven-round Swiss system tournament.
Three other players scored 6 points, including National Masters Levi Mercado and Rustum Tolentino of Cagayan de Oro City and Maamo Harrison of Davao City, but IM Barbosa topped the event due to a higher tie-break in the three-day event.
He pocketed P15,000 for his feat in the tournament which was launched in 2009.
National Master Reggie Olay of Davao City won the inaugural staging of the tournament. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)