The Philippines gets to play host to the Asean Age Group Chess Championships in June, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines said yesterday.
The chessfest will be held from June 17-27 in Davao City with NCFP president Butch Pichay leading the way in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Vietnam, the powerhouse in the region, will be the team to beat but the Philippines will be right there to act as spoiler.
Ignatius Leong, president of the Asean Chess Academy, believes the Philippines is slowly inching its way up.
“Philippines is becoming a strong No. 2. The gap is narrowing the last few years. There is an emerging hunger from the Philippines,” said Leong.
Last time the Philippines hosted the event was in 2010 and the country took the veralp crown last year when Vietnam dispatched a token delegation.
