Misamis Occidental hosts 2 intl chessfests

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Fresh from his World Chess Olympiad debut as head of the Philippine delegation in Samarkand, Uzbekistan last September, Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. is back as the generous host of big-time chess competitions in Mindanao. The chess-loving governor will kick off two of the country’s three international chess events this year to be successively held at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Recreation and Adventure Park (Amorap) in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental from Nov. 2 to 17. “Controversies are abound surrounding Philippine chess that are beyond anybody’s control. But the good governor has chosen to act on dispatch by sustaining what he soundly started in Northern Mindanao that will greatly benefit local chess development. In his leadership, Oaminal always believes that action speaks louder than words,” tournament organizer Rey Urbiztondo told The Manila Times. First to unwrap is the 7th Asean Individual Chess Championships from Nov. 2 to 10, followed by the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Championship from Nov. 10 to 17. The third international event dubbed as “AQ Prime International Open Chess Championship” is slated on Nov. 17 to 25 in Quezon City. Cagayan de Oro City pride Ruelle Canino and Mark Jay Bacojo from Santa Rosa, Laguna, who both gained their outright International Master...