So cites financial support as reason for departure

MANILA, Philippines – Fear of not getting financial support from the country was the biggest reason chess grandmaster Wesley So is giving up his Filipino citizenship for the United States.

“I have to live with the fear that if I am unable to play (for the Phl), I may get deprived of financial support,” said So in Wednesday’s interview with chessdom.com that came out in his coach Susan Polgar’s blog site.

“When I did not compete in the Asian Indoor Games in 2013, and instead played in the World University Games (which was a very strong event), in spite of winning the first ever Gold medal for the Philippines, I was denied the official recognition from the NCFP,” he continued.

“No player should be treated this way, especially when I worked so hard to bring pride to my country,” So added.

So, just 20 years old but is now in 15th in the international chess federation FIDE world rankings after topping the Capablanca Memorial a few weeks back, said this is the same predicament suffered by other members of the national chess squad.

“This is the same problem for players like Sadorra, Barbosa, or Paragua, etc.,” said So referring to Julio Catalino Sadorra, Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua, who are all in the United States to improve their playing like So.

“They need help with training, play in stronger events, and know that they will have consistent support from the NCFP. This is to the benefit of the federation. There is also a need for a high level training system in the Philippines to help young talented players excel. There is no reason why this cannot be done, especially given the fact that chess is quite popular there,” he said.

So also denied accusations that he made an agreement with the US chess federation to change allegiances.

“I did not make any agreement. On the contrary to the rumors out there, I receive no support from the US for switching,” said So, whose next goal is to break into the Top 10 in the world and perhaps challenge for the world championship currently held by contemporary Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

So also revealed that he made the offer to NCFP president Butch Pichay as early as November last year for him to play for the Phl team in the World Chess Olympiad this August in Tromso, Norway one last time but the latter didn’t answer.

Thus, there is no chance for So to play for the country in the Olympiad anymore.

“I offered to play for the Philippines one last time at the Tromso Chess Olympiad, with the condition that I would be granted permission to switch federation at the conclusion of the event. My request was simply disregarded. I never received a direct answer,” said So.

“Because of this, I had no choice but to sit out for two full years, and filed the necessary paperwork for the switch. There was no deal with the USCF. Therefore, there will be no chance that they will pay for the compensation fees. I am an average college student. I do not have 50,000 euros to pay to the NCFP as compensation.”

“At this point, it is too late for me to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Olympiad in Tromso, even if the NCFP accepts the offer I made last November. I made other commitments after the June 1st deadline to submit the Olympiad team roster,” he said.

So, however, reiterated his plea to Pichay.

“I was told by the NCFP President in the past that he wants to see me reach the top. I hope that he will keep his promise and grant me the opportunity to reach my dreams without losing more valuable time. He is the only one who can make the decision to help me. If he chooses not to help, but instead punish me by refusing to consent, I will have no choice but to lose another valuable year. I will wait and hope for a positive response. I will let you know as soon as I have the answer from the NCFP,” he said.

As of posting time, Pichay has yet to act on So’s request, leaving the latter to shell out 50 euros or about Php3 million or will have to sit out for two years before he could play in FIDE-sanctioned events like the Olympiad and the World Championship.

Phl Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, Jr., for his part, said lambasted So’s move.

“If being Filipino means that little to him, I would be happier that he stops being a Filipino,” Cojuangco told The STAR.

So insisted that even though he is set to become a US citizen, he will always remain a Filipino by heart.

“I am a proud Filipino, always will be a Filipino at heart, and never forget where I came from. I am thankful for all the support in the past. My parents now live permanently in Canada. But I live full time in St. Louis right now and I hope to reside permanently in the US,” he said.