TWO  more  slots to the  2011 World Chess  Cup  will be at stake when the  Asian Zone 3.3  chess  championships come off  the  wraps  on  May 23-31.

No less than Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino  is  taking a lead role in  the hosting  of  the  prestigious, nine-round competition which  is expected to attract close to 60  local and foreign players

The opening ceremony is  scheduled on  May 24, with  National Chess Federation  of  the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay  and Tolentinio  leading the local dignitaries in welcoming  the foreign players and officials from  FIDE  Asian Zone 3.3.

The first round will  kick  off immediately after the ceremony.          

Actually, the  Asian  Zonals   will serve as the second of three  major  international tournament   that  the  country  is hosting  in a span of three weeks.

The first tournament is the  Asian Youth chess championships  scheduled  May 14-22  in Subic, while  the  third  is  the  LWUA Chairman Prospero  Pichay Cup international chess  tournament at  the  Traveler’s Hotel in Subic  on  June 1-9.

“This  is another major  milestone  for the country as far as  hosting  three major international  chess competitions for  three  consecutive weeks. The entire Asian region will  be watching us with keen eye,” said Pichay.

Pichay said  the  three tournaments will also give Filipino  players “the rare opportunity to test their mettle against  tough foreign opponents in a major competition like the  Asian Zonals.

The Asian Youth Championships will be participated  in by local and foreign players in six different age-categories.

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, boys 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.

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

The runner-up and the  third  placer will receive US$4,000 and 3,000, respectively.

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