By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Grandmasters Joey Antonio and Darwin Laylo are expected to banner a star-studded cast vying in the 1st Governor Henry S. Oaminal 7-in-1 Chess Festival slated Nov. 10 to 12 at the Ozamis City Auditorium in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental.
Also scheduled to compete are International Masters Roderick Nava, Rolando Nolte, Ronald Bancod and Angelo Young in the tournament staking a total prize of P500,000.
Events on tap are rapid and blitz.
Other participants include IMs Joel Pimentel, Kim Steven Yap, Rico Mascarinas, and Richelieu Salcedo; FIDE Masters Nelson Villanueva, Alekhine Nouri, Ellan Asuela, Victor Lluch and Mario Mangubat; and National Masters Joey Florendo, Levi Mercado, Cyril Ortega and Levi Martuna.
Also joining are Lennon Hart Salgados, Johnnel Balquin and Jayson Salubre.
Meanwhile, Antonio and Hall of Famer GM Eugene Torre will take centerstage in the first of the seven events of the festival.
They will play simultaneous exhibition matches with select local players on opening day.
Aside from the simul, individual and team tournaments, age group, executive and armageddon round-robin events are also lined up for invited chess masters in the three-day tournament.
The GMs will also hold lectures for the aspiring chess players.
