Tuesday, May 27, 2008 Pichay: RP poised to become world chess power By Marianne Saberon-Abalayan
THE Philippines is poised to become a world chess power and aims to beat the number 1 in the world, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" A. Pichay boldly announced Monday.
"Our aim is to beat the number 1 in the world which is Russia," Pichay said in his message at the opening of the National Fide-rated Open Chess Championships at the Gaisano South Citimall.
"We're now moving on in our quest to become a world power in chess, not just in Asia," added Pichay, eliciting applause from the chess players and other guests at the opening ceremonies.
Pichay said since he assumed the presidency of the NCFP three years ago, the country has produced three Grandmasters, with Wesley So being the latest of to become one and the youngest GM in the world at 14 years old.
"I always try to live up to the expectations of the people by putting up a massive grassroots development program," Pichay said.
He said aside from the present crop of Filipino GMs, the country has some 20 International Masters (IMs) who can either strike a draw or even beat GMs from Europe at any given day.
He also cited former Davao City standout National Master (NM) Reggie Olay, a native of Kidapawan City, who gained an IM norm at the just-concluded Subic International Open.
"If Olay continues to play until next year, who knows the first GM from Mindanao will come from Davao" said Pichay, drawing more applause.
He went on to say that Davao City can be the next national power in chess as its two age-groupers, John Ray Batucan of Toril and Rowelyn Joy Acedo of Buhangin, finished first and second, respectively, in the National Age-Group Chess Championships in Mandaluyong City last month.
With their strong showing in the Mandaluyong, both youngsters earned the right to compete for Team Philippines in the Asean Age-Group Chess Championships in Danang, Vietnam next month.
Opening matches of the Fide-rated Davao Open which offers P20,000 to the champion are scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Monday afternoon.
Players from as far as Maguindanao, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Kidapawan, Iligan, General Santos to nearby cities and provinces came to compete for honors and FIDE rating.
Pichay made the ceremonial moves with 11-year-old Batucan during the affair.
Asean Chess Federation official Peter Long, and Davao City councilors Leonardo Avila III, Nilo Abellera and Halila Sudagar, GS Citimall Ad Promo Department Head Karla Palermo-Corcino and NCFP regional director James Infiesto were also in attendance.
International Arbiter and NCFP executive director Willie Abalos is the chief arbiter of the tournament.
