About 226 woodpushers, led by defending champions Jan Hermo Baron, Gem Gasendo, Douglas Perez and Joy Demonteverde, have confirmed their participation in the 2nd JRR Dizon Age-Group Chess Tournament that will run from March 24-25 at the University of St. La Salle-Integrated School Covered Courts in Bacolod City.

The reigning champions are expected to face tough opposition as a young brigade from De La Salle University, spearheaded by FIDE master Joel Pimentel from Bacolod City, have signed up for the competition.

Tournament director Jessie Sanchez also said that the other players to watch are Josella Uy of West Negros College, Adelaide Lim and child prodigy Jerich Cajeras.

Perez will defend his title in the high school boys' division, where Pimentel, who clinched his FIDE master norm late last year, is also entered.

Gasendo and Baron hope to make it two-in-a-row in the elementary girls and boys' division respectively, while Demonteverde is hard-pressed to come up with a strong performance in her title defense against a formidable field.

Fielding the most number of entries are La Carlota City and Hinigaran with 25 players each. Bacolod Christian Center will be represented by 17 players, Silay is sending 15, La Castellana, 12; Queen of Peace School, 12; WNC, 12; Trinity Christian School, 10; Maranatha Christian Center, 10; F.F. Gonzaga Elementary School, 9; Pontevedra, 8, and Escalante, 7.

Supporting the event, held in memirt of the late Hermelinda R. Dizon, are the Raymundo R. Dizon, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Chess Players Federation of Negros Inc., Bacolod Chess Training Center and Terry Capistrano.

Interested parties may contact Sanchez at cellular phone number 0919-4243828 or 432-8410. *CPT

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