ALL chess roads lead to Marikina City, the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines”, for the staging of the Marikina City Christmas Chess Festival on Dec. 28-29 at the Ayala Feliz Malls in Marikina.

No less than Sen. Koko Pimentel has been invited to make the ceremonial moves during the colorful opening ceremony of the prestigious, two-day competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman Richard Bachmann and Ayala Malls Feliz.

At stake in the competition, which is open only to Marikina City residents. are trophies and cash prizes with the champion in the Open Division getting the lion’s share of P10,000 and trophy.

The runner-up and the third placers will take home P8,000 and P6,000, respectively.

Also receiving cash prizes and trophies are the fourth placer, P4,000; and fifth up to 10th placers, P2,000 each.

The champions, runner-up and third placer in the Seniors, Juniors, Kiddies and Women categories will also pocket P6,000, P3,000 and P2,500, respectively.

Consolation prizes of P2,000 and medals will go to the fourth up to the 10th placers in all four categories.

In the blitz open, cash prizes are P6,000 (champion), P3,000 (runner-up), P2,500 (third placer) and P2,000 ( fourth up to 10th placers).

For inquiries, call or text IA Ricky Navalta and IA Patrick Lee.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya