BUOYED by the success of the first Gov. Henry S.Oaminal 8-in-1 Chess Festival last November, the Ozamiz City government and the Asenso Misamis Occidental FIDE-rated Chess Association (AMOFCA) will join hands anew to host the 2nd Gov. Henry S. Oaminal Open chess tournament on July 10 at the AYA Hotel and Residences in Clarin, Misamis Occidental.

No less than Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre was again invited to make the ceremonial moves in the two-day competition to be held as part of the celebration of the 76th Ozamiz City Charter Anniversary and feast of Nuestra Sra. dela Concepcion y del Triunfo de Migpangi.

Joining Torre during the colorful opening ceremony are Gov. Henry S. Oaminal, Mayor Henry “Indy” Oaminal Jr. and Rep. Sancho Fernando Oaminal and several Manila-based IMs and NMs.
AMOFCA president AGM Rey Urbiztondo said a total of P355,000 in cash prize will be given away to the winners of the FIDE rapid-rated tournament also supported by the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, 2nd Congressional District Office and Local Government Unit of Ozamiz.

The champion in the Open category will bring home the top prize of P50,000, while the runner-up up and third placer will pocket P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

The fourth up to the 20th placers will also receive cash prizes.

The winners in the High School/Under-17 and Elementary/Under-13 cateogries will receive P30,000, P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Special category winners uch as Top Senior (60-above), Top Junior (20-below), Top Lady (Open), Top Lady (17-under) and Top Lady (13-under) will be given P3,000 each.

The tournament will also be a fitting follow-up to the first Gov. Oaminal 8-in-1 chess championship held last Nov. 10-12 at the Ozamiz City Auditorium.

“Ozamiz City, through Gov. Oaminal, is again ready to welcome the country’s leading chess players and participants to the second edition of the Gov. Oaminal chess tournament,” said Urbiztondo, also the team owner of Surigao Fianchetto Checkmates in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP).

“Ozamiz, which is noted for its stunning travel destinations and delectable food offerings. is ready. This will also serve as a good avenue for promoting grassroots development and recognition of chess competitions in the country,” added Urbiztondo, who is best remembered for his runner-up finish behind GM Enrico Sevillano in the 1983 Cebu All-Students Chess Championships.

Last year, Urbiztondo noted that live streaming alone for the three-day event had already gained more than 4 million viewers after only few days based on reports by No.1 Filipino chess YouTuber IM Roderick “Kamatyas” Nava and Koronadal-based Biyaherong Arbiter AIM Mark John Centillo.

“It’s really very encouraging. The latest update we received is that we have 3.3 million views. for one livestreamer only, Biyaherong Arbiter Mark Centillo of Koronadal. Plus, the ones from Kamatyas,”said Urbiztondo.

Registration fees are P500 in the Open and P300 in the High School and Elementary categories.

There will be an NCFP subsidized registration fee for the first 100 registrants Misamis, 50 from Mindanao and 10 each from the Visayas and Luzon.

For registration, call Urbiztondo at 0999-999-0374 or email at [email protected].