BACOLOD City – About 50 participants have already signified entry to the Negros Chess Rapid Championship 2012 at the Food Court area of Centroplex Mall today.
Tournament sponsor Antonio "Tony" Ivan Aguirre said the tourney is a 30-minute 7-round Swiss System format and shall be governed by FIDE (World Chess Federation) Rapid Law of Chess.
It is open to all chess enthusiasts in the province with a maximum of 60 players to be accepted in a first come, first served basis.
Noted as among the early entries are FIDE Master Sander Severino, National Master Rodrigo Atotubo, NM Edwin Tan, NM Rodolfo Toledo, NM Boyet Lavega, NM Allan Severino, and NM Alfred Acaling III.
Noted homegrown FIDE-rated players to look out for are Ted Ian Montoyo, PO1 Ernie Abanco, and Xavier Verdun.
Aguirre, a chess enthusiast, also sponsored the 1st Negros Closed Individual Chess Championship and 3rd GAEV Memorial Negros Open Individual Chess Championships.
The tournament offers Php 3,000 cash prize with a trophy for the champion; 1st runner-up will receive Php 2,000 cash plus trophy and 2nd runner-up will get Php 1,000.
Consolation prizes for the rest of the winners will also be given during the awarding ceremony.
The top female and kiddie participants will also win cash prizes with gold medals, Aguirre added. (PNA)

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