By Adrian Stewart Co

Armenian Grandmaster Hovhannes Gabuzyan is set to reinforce Iloilo Kisela Knights in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup. BY FIDE WEBSITE

MANILA – Iloilo Kisela Knights is determined to bounce back in the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) GM Wesley So Cup as it tapped the services of Armenian Grandmaster import.

Kisela Knights team owner Leo Sotaridona told Panay News they secured the services of Hovhannes Gabuzyan in the second conference of online chess tournament beginning May 15.

“Hovhannes’ being a national champion speaks highly of himself,” Sotaridona said. “He is rated close to 2600, so he is expected to provide tremendous help to Iloilo Kisela Knights’ top two boards.”

The 25-year-old Gabuzyan has a decorated record as a player, having earned the GM title after topping various tournaments in Armenia and other in countries at the age of 17.

Gabuzyan was hailed Olympic Champion at the U16 in 2010. He also topped the 75th Armenian Chess Club 1st League, before winning the Bulgarian Chess Summer 2015, Golden Sands A Tournament. It was in 2016 that Gabuyzan won the World University Chess Championship.

Gabuzyan became a member of the Armenian National Chess Team in 2017-2018, where he won first place in the UTRGV Chess team at President Cup, Final Four tournament in New York, USA.

Recently, the Armenian Grandmaster was hailed as champion in the 2021 Armenian Chess Championship, the same title he captured back in 2017.

“He will be of big help for our team, could be a great coach, mentor and inspiration for our team to strive hard to become champion for the second conference of PCAP,” said Kisela Knights assistant manager Hubert Canto.

In the PCAP GM Wesley So Cup, the champion team will receive P150,000 while the runner-up will get P75,000. The third placer will have P40,000, while the fourth placer will take home P20,000.

Top individual performers in the conference, such as Best Import, Player of the Conference, and Finals Most Valuable Player, will received P10,000 cash prize each./PN