Chessers want piece of early action, scramble for slots

HO CHI MINH (Via Globe Telecom) — Sometimes, an abundance of talents in sports creates problems.

And that seems to be the case in Philippine chess with all its players wanting to play at the start today of Southeast Asian Games chess competition at the Van Don Indoor Stadium here.

The problem is that each team is allowed to field in only two players in the first event to be played which is the rapid event.

Earlier nominated to play in the men’s and women’s categories were grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Mark Paragua, and Arianne Caoili and Christine Mariano. But the teams were allowed to change their lineup until the team managers‚ meeting set last night.

"Lahat gustong maglaro that’s why I’m letting the players to settle the matter among themselves. If they fail to resolve it, I have to do my job. I‚ll make the decision based on reasons," National Chess Federation of the Philippines secretary general Atty. Sammy Estimo told The STAR.

"Pero this matter is nothing personal among the players. Professional level naman ang usapan," Estimo added.

Contesting the slots in the men‚s team were Antonio, Paragua, GMs Eugene Torre and Buenaventura Villamayor and IM Ronald Dableo and Mariano, Sheerie Joy Lomibao, Kathryn Ann Cruz and Beverly Mendoza in the women‚s team.

Caoili, the Brisbane-based young master, should have been seeded in the women‚s category but she had yet to arrive at presstime.

"We’re still hoping (that she would come) pero mukhang malabo na. Wala kaming communication sa kanya,"said Estimo. Caoili‚s absence is seen as a big setback for the Filipinos hoping to corner a big share of eight gold medals at stake in chess.

The two-time Olympian had trained hard for months to prepare for the biennial games but couldn‚t get here reportedly for luck of funds.

"Pinapadaan ng PSC (the Philippine Sports Commission) sa Pilipinas to reimburse their expenses there before proceeding here. Kaya lang wala yatang pera maski pagpunta sa Pilipinas," said Estimo. "Caoili is our best gold medal hope in the women‚s division. But I hope the rest of the team will step up," offered Torre.