2 GMs bolt NCFP, deplore favoritism

Citing the absence of a sound program that would benefit the majority, Grandmasters Joey Antonio and Bong Villamayor yesterday resigned as officers of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

"Walang programa. Walang calendar. May favoritism pa," said Villamayor, referring to the country’s governing body in chess that was acknowledged just a couple of years back after a lengthy, court-drawn battle with the Philippine Chess Federation (PCF).

Villamayor and Antonio showed reporters a copy of their resignation letter to be submitted to NCFP president Mat Defensor. In the letter, they both asked the NCFP to remove their names from the official letterhead where they are listed members of the executive committee.

Antonio said the present NCFP program only favors International Master Marc Paragua. He said the 19-year-old player has spent so much time and NCFP resources trying to secure the second of three norms needed to become a grandmaster.

"Since 1999 pa siya puro Europe na ang campaign pero ano na ba ang nabuno niya? Iisang GM norm pa lang. I earned my first norm in three months while Bong Villamayor earned all three norms in just 40 days of non-stop competition," said Antonio.

As it is, Paragua ranks only fourth in the Philippines as far as ELO ratings are concerned. GM Eugene Torre, now 52, is on top with 2580, followed by the 37-year-old Villamayor’s 2560, and the 41-year-old Antonio’s 558. Paragua has an ELO rating of 2529.

These players won three gold medals in the recent Vietnam SEA Games — the team rapid, team standard and individual, which was won by Paragua.

"Bata kasi siya kaya napapaboran ng kahit mga sponsors," said Antonio of Paragua. "Pero sa laban, hindi mo naman masasabing dimonado niya kami. Nagtatalunan lang kami."

Villamayor and Antonio said the NCFP should have spread the blessings among the country’s top players and not focus on Paragua alone. They said a fair treatment in terms of international exposures could have easily helped them breach the 2600 ELO rating among Filipinos.

They said they had planned to resign as early as late last year but kept it among themselves so as not to disrupt their SEA Games participation.

Antonio said the NCFP also benefitted from First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s "Gintong Medalya: May Laban Tayo" program but can’t say where the contributions went. The program was set up to help in the training of the Vietnam-bound athletes.

"May nakuha ang NCFP doon. Kumuha nga ng training venue, wala namang nag-training. Ni minsan, hindi kami nag-train dito. Nagkita-kita kami sa Ho Chi Minh na. Makikita mong wala talagang programa. Puro bata-bata," said Antonio.

The two disgruntled GM’s also put their thumbs down on the planned P1.5 million one-on-one showdown between Torre and Paragua with the winner taking home P1 million.

"Kung hindi nila paghahatian," said Antonio.

The showdown, which is being advertised as the greatest in local chess this year, is still in need of sponsors.

Antonio said if it pushes through, it would be a big waste of money, considering that there’s the lack or absence of local tournaments for RP masters to compete in. He said with P1.5 million, the NCFP can hold even 10 tournaments that would make the majority happy.

"It’s a private venture. And they are not the country’s top two players. Marc Paragua has not yet earned his GM title and has never been a national champion. I’m a six-time national champion. So how can they compare that match with the my Centennial Duel with Eugene in 1998 which I won?" Antonio asked.

"The P1.5 million prize fund for two persons could serve more players through open tournaments. Makikita mo talaga na mali ang priorities ng NCFP," he added.