MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So eyes to rule the “Battle of GMs” for the 3rd straight time as the tournament gets underway next Tuesday  at the Character Hotel in Tagaytay City.

So, who ruled the first 2 editions of the event, is seen to play better as he defends his title in the competition organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

“I expect So to continue to play well and defend his title, but [Rogelio] Antonio, [Darwin] Laylo and the rest of the participants are all capable of pulling off some surprises,” said NCFP president Prospero Pichay.

Re-elected Tagaytay Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who supports the staging of the competition, said Tagaytay and its chess-loving residents are all happy for this chance to host the tournament.

“We have hosted several major chess tournaments in the past, including the chess competition in the last  SEA Games, but this is the first time that the Battle of GMs will be held here,” said Tolentino, also the secretary-general of the NCFP.

A P200,000 top prize and a finely-crafted trophy await the champion in this tournament, which will feature the best and the brightest chess players in the country today.

GM Antonio Jr., who finished runner-up to So last year, and GM Laylo are also expected to figure prominently in the title race.

Two other GMs – John Paul Gomez and Jayson Gonzales – make up the list of favored players.

Although GMs Eugene Torre, Mark Paragua, Nelson Mariano and Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor begged off from participation due to various commitments,  several young and highly-rated players are taking their place, according to NCFP events director Willie Abalos.

Aside form the 5 GMs, the other participants in the round-robin tournament are IMs Richard Bitoon, Julio Catalino Sadorra, Ronald Dableo, Rolando Nolte, Oliver Dimakiling and FMs Haridas Pascua and Jan Emmanuel Garcia.

Garcia is best remembered as the 2nd highest-placed Filipino player behind So in the recent Asian Individual Chess Championships held in Subic last month.

In the women’s division, top favorite Shercila Cup heads the bidders for the P50,000 top prize.

Joinining Cua  in the list are Catherine Perena, Cheradee Camacho, Jedara Docena,  Christy Bernales, Jodilyn Fronda, Cherry Ann Mejia, Beverly Mendoza, Akiko Suede, Aices Salvador.

Sherily Cua and Daisy Rivera begged off from joining the competition due to their job commitments, forcing organizers to look for replacements.

For inquiries, call Abalos or Patrick Lee at the NCFP office,  Bldg. B, room 407, Philsports Complex,  Pasig City with tel. (02) 3817224,  and cell  0929-2266210, 0927-7209260 and  0905-3269576. – by Marlon Bernardino