The seven-leg circuit, spread over key cities in the country, features the Juniors division, for players 20-year-old and under, and the Kiddies division, for players 14-and-under, with the top finishers gaining berths in the national finals slated in October.
To kick off this year’s theme “Maglaro at Matuto, Kasama ang Chess Barkada!” Pilipinas Shell, in partnership with the Department of Education, held the first ever “An Interaction with the Masters” or AIM where over 100 students teachers, coaches, principals and parents from various public elementary and high schools in Metro Manila took part in the two-day chess clinic conducted by the country’s top chess masters, headed by Grand Master (GM) Eugene Torre. Torre, together with fellow GMs Jayson Gonzales and Darwin Daylo, one of the products of Shell Active Chess, along with International Masters Idel Datu and Ronald Dableo, and International Arbiter Rolly Yutuc shared their expertise on the fundamentals, techniques and advanced strategies of the game.
”Through the Shell Active Chess programme, which we have been holding annually for 17 years now as part of the company's commitment to Sustainable Development, Pilipinas Shell has helped nurture the skill and talent of the Filipino youth. We also hope that through this programme, we can help our country’s youth inculcate the values that this sport cultivates,” remarks Chito Maniago, Pilipinas Shell Sustainable Development Manager.
This year’s Shell Active Chess circuit will start on June 20-21 for the NCR leg at SM Mall of Asia, with the second stage set July 4-5 for the Northern Luzon elims in Tuguegarao. The third leg will be held July 18-19 for the Southern Luzon elims in Batangas, while Naga City will host the fourth leg for the Southern Luzon qualifier on August 1-2. Cebu takes its turn to stage the fifth leg on August 15-16 for the Central Visayas leg, while Iloilo will hold the Western Visayas elims on August 29-30 before the circuit winds up on September 19-20 for the Mindanao leg in Davao.
Except for the Davao elims, the top three finishers in all legs will advance to the grand finals slated October 10-11 at SM Megamall. The Davao leg offers four berths in both the Kiddies and Juniors divisions.
Registration is ongoing with a fee pegged at Php 50. For details, contact the following coordinators: Alex Dinoy at 0922-8288510 or 0916-6882682, or the local coordinators Mariano Cabugos (078) 844-0513 -Tuguegarao; Joselito Castro (043) 723-2568, (043) 723-4246 - Batangas; NM Glenn Artuz 0918-5051825, (054) 4750623-Naga; Odilon Badilles 0905-597 8096-Cebu; NM Cesar Mariano 0919-2833826, (033) 336-6205-Iloilo; and, NA Ronnie Tabudlong 0929-2407371; (082) 300-4260-Davao. Registration forms are also available at selected schools, chess clubs and municipal/provincial government offices. You may also log on to www.shell.com.ph.
This year’s Shell Active Chess, endorsed by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, is backed by Shell Fuels, Shellane, Shell Helix, and McDonald’s, in partnership with SM Supermalls and Paseo Reale Cagayan.
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