Around P20,000 in cash prizes will be up for grabs in another online chess tourney that welcomes the participation of the leading chess masters in the country.

Dubbed as "Asenso Pinoy Open Blitz Chess Championship," it will be slated on April 16-17 via chess.com platform.

"The chess community would always welcome events like this nga makatabang sa mga chess players nga maka-income pina-agi sa mga pa-premyo kay lisod ang panahon karon," said Arena Grandmaster Rey Urbiztondo.

"Pabor gyod ang online chess malikay  kita sa peligro nga virus  kay ang intetesado maka-participate man bisan anaa ra sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka panimalay."

With no registration, the elimination games will be held on the first day to select the top-20 performers that will play in the championship round on the second day along with the seeded titled players.

Among those who signified participation from the master ranks are Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus and National Masters Christian Gian Karlo Arca,  Jonathan Tan and Alexander Lupian from Davao City.

FM Vince Alaan and Cyrus Donasco from Surigao are also in the list alongside NM Levi Mercado and 13-year-old Woman National Master Ruelle Canino from Cagayan de Oro City and NM Zulfikar Sali from Zamboanga City.  

"Asenso Pinoy acknowledges more support for sports development and it chooses chess as one of the best and old sports disciplines. With the proliferation of online chess games, it is but fitting to have an online individual chess championship while everyone is still observing the pandemic protocols imposed by the government. The players can play and are encouraged to participate while in their homes," said tournament director NM Henry Roger Lopez, who will be assisted by National Arbiter Ely Acas in running the show.

The champion will go home  P8,000-richer with the second and third placers out to receive P4,000 and P2,000 each. The fourth and fifth finishers will get P1,000 and P500 apiece. Sixth to 10th placers will pocket P300 each, while the 11th up to 20th placers will bring home P200 each.

The rest of the top-30 finishers will settle for P100 apiece.