FIDE to stage $1-million Campomanes Cup

MANILA, Philippines - The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is putting up a whopping $1-million prize fund to bankroll the staging of the Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup Chess Championships to be held in the Asean region over the next 10 years.

FIDE chief Kirsan Ilyumzhinov of Russia personally announced the upcoming Campo chess series during the annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Chess Confederation hosted by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Butch Pichay in Subic last week.

Ilyumzhinov said a total of 10 tournaments with cash prizes of $100,000 each will be held over 10 years in the 10 Asean member-nations to perpetuate the memory of Campomanes, who passed away last month at 83.

Manila will host the kickoff leg on Aug. 11-19, possibly at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, which hosted the 1990 Interzonals.

Pichay and Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan Bin Kalifah Al Nahyan lauded   Ilyumzhinov for sponsoring the tournament in honor of Campomanes, who served as FIDE president from 1982 to 1995.

“The whole Asian region, especially the Filipinos, are very thankful for Ilyumzhinov for sponsoring these tournaments in honor of Campomanes,” said Pichay during the meeting also attended by FIDE general secretary Ignatius Leung of Singapore and representatives of the 10 Asean member-countries.

For his part, NCFP secretary-general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino said the tournaments will give the players the opportunity to honor the Filipino chess leader through their participation.

At stake in the tournament, which will feature three categories, are cash prizes amounting to $70,000 in the Open division, $20,000 in the women’s category and $10,000 in the challenge class.

The champion in the Open category will win $10,000.

The winners in the women’s division and challenge section will receive $5,000 and $3,000, respectively.

Although the memorial tournaments will be held in Asean countries only, Pichay said top players from Europe and other parts of the world are also welcome to participate.

Pichay has already instructed NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos to coordinate with FIDE official Casto “Toti” Abundo to oversee the preparations for the said tournament.