NCFP blasts boycotting GMs

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) yesterday slammed three grandmasters who boycotted the ongoing eliminations for the Asian Games, saying they, even if they’re grandmasters, "have no right to dictate on their association."

NCFP president Congressman Prospero "Butch" Pichay made the remark in response to the joint statement made by the country’s three GMs — Eugene Torre, Mark Paragua and Rogelio Antonio Jr. — yesterday.

Reacting to the GMs’ open letter which was sent to various newspapers yesterday, Pichay said only the NCFP has the right to set the guidelines in the selection of the players it will send to international competitions.

"As players, they should always follow the rules of the association," said Pichay, who felt slighted that the three GMs decided to ventilate their grievances directly to the media instead of consulting chess officials.

Pichay also said their move deprived the country’s young players the opportunity to play them in a top-caliber tournament.

"I felt sad for our young players, who missed this opportunity to play against our top-rated players simply because they (GMs) do not agree to the system being used by the NCFP ," added Pichay.

Pichay’s reaction came after Torre, Paragua and Antonio lashed out at the NCFP for choosing the Swiss system of elimination in the selection of the country’s three representatives to the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar Dec. 1-15.

The three GMs said the Swiss system "flawed and demeaning to our stature as the country’s highest-rated GMs."

The three dramatized their protest to the system adapted by the NCFP by boycotting the 11-round qualifying tournament being held at the SM Mall of Asia.

Also yesterday, GM Nelson Mariano and several international masters defended the NCFP and the system being used to determine the country’s representatives to various international competitions.

"As a player, I believe we have to follow the guidelines set by our association — that’s why we decided to play in the elims," said Mariano.

IMs Richard Bitoon, Darwin Laylo, Ronald Dableo, Barlo Nadera, Oliver Dimakiling, John Paul Gomez and Wesley So and veteran NM Mirabeau Maga echoed Mariano’s claim, saying it is only proper that all the players undergo eliminations to prove their worth to the national team.

"If we just limit our choice to these GMs, how can our young players ever get a chance to compete," said Dimakiling, who had beaten Torre in a regular tournament.