BIG-TIME over-the-board chess competition returns to Mindanao with the staging of the first NM Zulfikar Sali Inter-Cities and Municipalities chess team championship at the Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City on Jan. 22-23.

As much as P200, 000 in cash prizes are at stake in the prestigious two-day competitions sponsored by NM Sali and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

The champion in the nine-round swiss system tournament will bring home the lion’s share of P50,000.

The runner-up will pocket P30,000, while the third placer will earn P20,000.

Cash prizes will also be given to the fourth placer, P10,000; fifth placer P8,000; sixth placer P7,000; seventh placer P6,000; eighth placer P5,000; ninth placer P4,000 and 10th placer P3,000.

Category winners, such as top kiddie/junior, top female, top senior 55-years old and above will also be given.

As an added incentive, the Beat the Master award will be awarded to the non-titled Zamboanga player who will win against a titled player.

The top Zamboanga city team, top Zamboanga MVP Rising Star, Top Zamboanga female and top Zamboanga junior will also bring home special prizes from NM Sali.

Tournament format is nine rounds rapid 20 minutes plus 10 seconds increment.

Three players per team with a maximum NCFP average rating of 2022.

There will be a limit of maximum of three teams per city or municipality, except for the host team.

Registration fee is P3,000 per team.

Zamboanga City and IATF guidelines will be implemented during the tournament proper.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga Sultans will participate in the 2022 Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Draft scheduled at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8.

The Sultans will have the No. 15 pick in the draft, according to PCAP president-commissioner Atty. Paul Elauria.

The Iriga City Oragons will make the first pick in the draft, followed by the Quezon City Simba’s Tribe.