Chess grandmaster Eugene Torre highlights MisOcc chess tournament

The provincial government of Misamis Occidental province welcomes Chess grandmaster Eugene Torre and top players from Visayas and Mindanao who joined the first-ever Governor Henry Oaminal 8-in-1 Chess exhibition which kicks off November 10 at the Ozamiz City Gymnasium. (PGMO)

The provincial government of Misamis Occidental province welcomed Chess grandmaster Eugene Torre and top players from Visayas and Mindanao who joined the first-ever Governor Henry Oaminal 8-in-1 Chess exhibition which kicked off November 10 at the Ozamiz City Gymnasium.

Rey Cris Urbiztondo, director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and president of the Asenso Misamis Occidental Chess Association (AMOFCA), said the province hosts the simultaneous exhibition match with Asia’s chess Grandmaster Torre.

International Master Roderick Nava will facilitate the series of chess training sessions and lectures for the promising young players in Ozamiz.

"This is the first time that the finest from Visayas will be pitted against the best from Mindanao,” Urbiztondo said.

The tournament includes chess rapid and blitz matches across four different categories with a total cash prize of P500,000.

Moreover, the province also organized the third tournament in partnership with the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) and the Games and Amusements Board’s Rapid Chess Champions League.

Governor Henry Oaminal, who is also a chess player, said the chess events aim to strengthen the sports development program of the province and it is in support of aspiring Filipino athletes, particularly in his province.

Oaminal elaborated that chess is a very good mind and emotional game to hone a person and make the people away from drug and other criminal activities.

He said such initiatives also push young Misamisnons to become productive citizens.

The Chess Festival is sponsored by Oaminal while the tournaments were organized by Urbiztondo as part of the 94th Provincial anniversary of Misamis Occidental.

The Governor thanked visitors for sharing their talents to the people of Ozamiz and for coming to the province. (SMRN/PGMO)