Friday, October 12, 2007 Three Cebuanos pass Fide exam
THREE Cebuanos passed with flying colors the international arbiters examinations given by Fide during the 6th Asian Individual Chess Championships held recently at the Cebu International Convention Center.
NM Roger Abella, National Arbiter Marvin Ruelan, and University of Cebu Coach Louie Navaja passed the examinations after four days of rigid seminars and lectures given by Fide officials.
Abella, 54, and a hall of Famer for chess as an athlete, said that the knowledge he got for Fide title regulations and rating system has given him a better view of the sport.
“My experience has helped me in passing the examinations. I now have the higher education I need for refereeing future chess tournaments,” Abella said.
Ruelan, 52, for his part said that his being a local arbiter in the numerous chess tournament that he has presided has given him the stocked knowledge he needed to pass the examinations.
“The new rules and regulations that I have received has given me the changes that I need to implement to improve our tournaments,” he said.
Prestige
Navaja, 45, and a 10-year coach of the high school and college chess teams of UC, said that his passing the exams is a plus factor for him as a coach and also a prestige to the university that he represents.
“Fide has acknowledged my ability to be a competent arbiter in future tournaments. I can’t wait to do my part in future events.” Navaja said.
Chess patron Benjamin “Boojie” Lim Jr., and president of the Cebu Chess Federation said, “The passing of Abella and Ruelan will improve the manner of our organizing future tournament of international caliber. We can now hold Fide-sanctioned tournaments in Cebu. This will greatly improve the standards here.”
The speakers during the seminar were Fide Honorary President Florencio Campomanes, Fide Secretary General Ignatius Leong of Singapore, Fide technical commission Chairman Dr. Andrzej Filipowicz of Poland and the Asian Chess Federation deputy president Castro Abundo.
Of the 25 aspirants coming from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Manila, only 11 passed the examinations.
The Arbiters Seminar was a Fide/ARISF project organized by the Asian Chess Federation. (JGC)
