ALL chess  roads  lead  to Subic this weekend  for  the staging of the Asian Youth chess championships  scheduled  May 14-22  at  the Subic  Exhibition and  Convention Center in  Subic  Freeport, Olongapo  City.

A joint  undertaking  of  the Asian  Chess  Federation and  the National  Chess  Federation of  the Philippines,  the  prestigious, seven-day competition  is expected  to attract the best and the brightest  young players  from the Philippines and the whole of Asia.

“It is my honor to invite  young  and  talented players  from Asia to come  to Subic and play in this prestigious, nine-round tournament . It  is  another perfect opportunity to  showcase  the world-famous  Filipino  hospitality,” said NCFP president/chairman  Prospero “Butch” Pichay in  an  invitation sent to all  Asian chess  federations.

Pichay said Subic  is an ideal venue for  this  chess competition, having  already  hosted several  major  international sports  competitions in the previous years.

“Due to its   pristine environment and superb facilities, the Subic Bay  Freeport is  now emerging as a favorite venue for sports events, as well as a training center for professional athletes,” said Pichay.

“The Subic Bay Freeport blends  white  sand   beaches, clear bay waters  and tropical forests with a  progressive  business area making it a perfect model of development in harmony with nature.

Competitions  in standard chess  and  blitz chess  will be held in  six  age  categories: boys and girls  18  years old  and under, boys and  girls 16 under, boys and  girls 14 under, boys and  girls 12  under, boiys and  girls 10 under and boys and girls 8 under.

Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers  in  each event and category.

The opening  ceremony  will be held starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, followed by the  first round  at  4 p.m.

Pichay is expected to deliver the  welcome remarks.

A  one-minute silent prayer is  also expected  to  be held in honor  of   NCFP executive director Willie Abalos, who  passed away due  to a lingering  illness last  May 8 at  age 50.

The closing and  awarding ceremony is set on May 21.

After the Asian Youth,  the NCFP  will also  host the Asian Zone  3.3 Championships on May  23-31 in   Tagaytay City and the  LWUA  chairman Prospero Pichay Cup  chess  tournament  on  June 1-9 in  Subic.

In  Tagaytay,  two  more  slots to the 2011 World Cup  are at stake in the Asian Zone  3.3  championships.

The  winner in the women’s zonal ,  on  the other hand,  shall qualify  for the  Womens’ World Cup.

The opneing ceremony and first  round  will be  held on  May 24.

After  the  Tagaytay   tournamnet, the  players resume battle with the staging of the  seocnd edition of  the  Chairman Pichay Cup  on June 1-9  in Subic.

A total cash prize of US$ 30,000 will  be  up for grabs in the  Pichay Cup, with the champion getting the lion’s share of US$ 6,000.

The runner-up and the thir dplacer will receive US$4,000 and 3,000, repsecitvely.

Venue  of  the   prestigious, nine-round  competition is the  Verona   Hall  of  the   Travellers Hotel  in  Subic Freeport.

For  inquiries  call  Ilann  Perez of  the  NCFP at   cell.  0929-2266210   or  0928-5513089.