DAVAO City will host the 19th edition of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation Age Group+ Chess Championship from June 17 to 27 with Filipino players hoping to repeat as overall champions.
After an astounding 83 gold, 37 silver and 29 bronze medal performance last year in Pahang, Malaysia, National Chess Federation of the Philippines President Rep. Prospero Pichay said he is confident that the Filipinos would again deliver.
“In the last Asean held in Malaysia, we became overall champions. I believe we can defend our title,” Pichay told a news conference on Wednesday at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) offices in Manila.
Around 500 chess players from more than 10 countries are expected to compete in the event that will feature 14 age groups in the junior division and two in the senior category.
Tournament Director and Davao Coordinator James Infiento emphasized that, aside from medals, winners will also obtain outright World Chess Federation’s FIDE Master and International Master titles.
“This only goes to show that, despite the area being under martial law, peace reigns in Mindanao, and we use sports to promote peace,” PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey said.
Qualifying legs will be held in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao to determine the composition of the national team.
The Philippines last hosted the competition in 2010 in Subic.