FIDE Asian exec brokers peace talks

ISTANBUL, Turkey – The president of the 12-member Zone 3.2A of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Monday initiated talks to find a common ground for the warring Philippine Chess Federation and the newly-organized National Chess Federation of the Philippines, both waiting for a final word on their membership from the General Assembly on Nov. 8.

Ignatius Leong, the zone president, had told PCF president Jesus Ingeniero that he wanted him and NCFP president Eugene Torre to sit down and discuss the issue in hopes of finding a compromise to save Philippine chess.

Leong was to summon Ingeniero and Torre to a meeting Monday night but this did not materialize because Torre wanted to take a rest after his team’s third round match with Switzerland. Another meeting was scheduled Tuesday night.

Ingeniero said that while he will stand with the PCF decision to fight for its right as a regular member of FIDE, he would be open to talks with the Torre group before the FIDE meets to decide on the membership of both organizations during the FIDE Congress Nov. 8-12.

Leong, who was in Manila as tournament director of the Philippine Chess Classic where Bong Villamayor eventually obtained the last GM norm, was responsible for reporting to the FIDE presidential board last Aug. 27 on the situation of Philippine chess.

The contents of the report were not yet made available, but the PCF said the report might have had a damaging effect since it was used as one of the bases for the FIDE presidential board’s decision to recognize the NCFP and make it as the sole governing body of chess in the Philippines.

The FIDE board, in effect, ousted the Philippine Chess Federation – a move it confirmed when it dumped the PCF and put instead the NCFP and its roster of members and participants for the ongoing World Chess Olympics and FIDE Congress here.

Meanwhile, International Master Barlo Nadera pulled off a surprise victory over V. Milov and Grandmaster Eugene Torre agreed to halve the point with Victor Korchnoi as the NCFP-backed Philippine team drew with Switzerland, 2-2, in the third round of the World Chess Olympiad.

Nadera, playing black, beat Milov in a Center-Counter game to give the Philippines its lone victory for the day. The draw left the Filipinos with 8.5 points and a share of 12th place with 10 other teams, including Armenia, the United States and China.

Playing white, Torre engaged Korchnoi in a razor-sharp Sicilian and gave the Swiss no chance of forcing a win.

A pawn sacrifice in the middlegame allowed Korchnoi to open up the d-file and initiate a queen trade. But Torre was quick to rebuild a blockade at the center with his knights and forced the standoff after 42 moves.

International Master Idelfonso Datu also split the point with Y. Pelletier in 23 moves of an English Opening while IM Ronald Bancod lost to F. Jenni in 55 moves of a Sicilian-Dragon variation.

Erstwhile solo leader Hungary beat defending champion Russia, 2.5-1.5, but surrendered a piece of the lead to Germany which scored a 3-1 victory over Moldova. Both teams have 10.5 points.