MANILA, Philippines – Some of the country’s top rated players have already confirmed their participation in the Mangatarem Open Rapid Chess Tournament 2010 on January 23 at the Shahani Sports Complex, Town Plaza in Mangatarem, Pangasinan.

The chess players include Fide Master Haridas Pascua, national masters Julius Sinangote, Edmundo Gatus and Ronald Llavanes.

Paolo Bersamina and Jerad Docena will also see action in the two-day event to be held to honor Teofilo Natividad. The tournament is backed up by lawyer Caesar Natividad, Co-Executive Director of Mangatarem Schools Alumni Assn. (MSAA) and Friends.

Tournament organizer Gilbert Pascua said that the champion will be getting the lion share of P10,000, the runner-up gets P7,000 while third placer will bring home P5,000.

They will be also receiving trophies for their effort. Fourth to Tenth placers will receive P3,000, P1,000 and P500, respectively.

The Under 16 champion will take home P3,000 plus trophy while special prizes will go to the Top Female, Youngest Player, Top 50 yrs old above and Top Mangatarem Player.

Also to be featured in the chess tournament is the blitz competition on January 23. It will be hosted by Mun. Kgd Aldwin Pasion (Mangatarem Chess Club Adviser) with the winner getting the champion’s purse of P2,000.

Call or text Mr. Gilbert Pascua at mobile no. (0921) 214-4578 or email at pascua.gilbert@yahoo.com for complete details. – by Marlon Bernardino