Wesley So and Eugene Torre are top seeded

The 2009 edition of the Battle of the GMs will take place in Dapitan City, 24-31 March, 2009. Rating favorite will be GM Wesley So, who will be looking for yet another title and a way to secure 2650+ rating. His major opponent will be GM Euguene Torre. Both players were supposed to have a match earlier this year, but it got canceled due to Wesley So’s participation at Aeroflot.

The competition has several more strong rating competitiors. Among them is the Philippine champion John Paul Gomez and the strong GMs Mark Paragua, Darwin Laylo, Bong Villamayor, Rogelio Antonio, and Jayson Gonzales.

Among the women participants the highest hopes for good performance are for Catherine Perena, the young talent Chardine Cheradee Camacho, Shercila Cua, Daisy Rivera, Beverly Mendoza, Christy Lamiel Bernales, and Jedara Docena.