7th KIDAPAWAN OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS, Feb. 07-08.

7th KIDAPAWAN OPEN CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPS, Feb. 07-08. THE annual 7th Kidapawan Open Chess Championships is set on Feb. 7 and 8 at the Kidapawan Convention Center in Kidapawan City.

NCFP regional director and international magician James Infiesto and Skye, Chief Arbiter Alfred Moulic of 7th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship, Sportswriters of Davao President Lito Delos Reyes and Eden, and sports coordinator and writer Charles Maxey. It will be held in celebration of the city's foundation day.

DAVAO City's international master (IM) Oliver Dimakiling as the holder of the title in the 6th Kidapawan Open Chess Championship. "We're expecting more than 100 players," said lawyer Dan Calica of the organizing Kidapawan Chess Club Inc. KCCI has successfully conducted the event in bringing not only players from Mindanao but from all over the country. "This has helped in honing the skills of our chess players here in Kidapawan and Cotabato province," Calica said. It is open to all Filipino players or all ages, rated or non-rated, male or female, residing anywhere in the Philippines. The champion will earn P15,000 with a medal, second P10,000 with a medal, third P5,000 with a medal and fourth P3,000 with a medal. The 5th to 10th placers will each get P1,000. Special awards will go to the best kiddie, best female and best junior player. The 9-round Swiss System event is supported by the Notre Dame of Kidapawan for Boys and Girls High School Alumni Association Batch 1985, Kidapawan City Government and Mayor Joseph Evangelista. Registration fee is P200 for Kidapawan residents and P300 for non-Kidapawan residents. Deadline of registration is on Feb. 7 at 9 a.m. Game starts immediately at 10 a.m. All entries must be submitted by email to kidapawanchessclub@yahoo.com or contact KCCI president Dr. Ted Calica (0939-2632482) or chief arbiter Alfred Moulic (0942-3844915). "Players are encourage to bring their own chess set and chess clock," Calica said. - LITO DELOS REYES