Chess memories

In a previous column, I mentioned our national team’s debacle in the 41st World Chess Olympiad held in Tromso, Norway recently. Undoubtedly, our team missed the likes of Wesely So (who defected to the US), GM Joey Antonio or the tested GM Econg Sevillano (now based in the US).  Our 46th finish was a far cry from our seventh place ranking in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1988.  During the Manila World Chess Olympics, I couldn’t help but recall some funny events.  In a game against Bangladesh for instance, Econg Sevillano complained that he was in a losing position against a Bangladesh player. Econg said his opponent has unleashed a “secret weapon” that made Econg lose his concentration. He said the “kili-kili power” of his opponent was just too strong “murag kalipongon siya”. I asked Econg if he wants a mask but I eventually end up spraying him with Lysol to ward off the smell.  All told, the Philippines wound up in 31st place.  What could have been another unforgetable event during the Manila Olympiad was when then World champion Garry Kasparov asked me if we could play a basketball  game with them at the former Philippine Plaza, where most of the teams stayed. Kasparov said they need some physical activity after a stressful week. Well, unknown to most people, the Philippine team has been playing basketball at Teacher’s Camp in Baguio City, just a few meters from our quarters, the 24-room Haven of Rest. Some of our team best players then included Ricky de Guzman, who played for the Galleon Team in the PRO League, Joey Antonio, Rolando Nolte and Petronio Roca.  Of course, I was their coach having played for a La Salle  Bacolod during my college days.  The Russians had a 6-3 player in soon –to-be world  champion Vladimir Kramnik. So, the stage was set only to be cancelled in the last moment when then Fide president, the late Florencio Campomanes told us there’s a change in schedule. “Sayang I could have played against Kasparov, not in chess but basketball.  “I’m sure I could have run rings around and bewildered them with my baby hook shot”.  For his part, Ricky said, “makakaganti na sana tayo”.  We have never beaten the Russians.  Another memorabilia I treasure most is a t-shirt signed by Vishy Anand, Victor Kortchnoi, Maya Cheburdanidze, Joel Lautier, Nigel Short and Kasparov.  One  chess fanatic was willing to pay  P10T for the shirt but  I said it’s priceless.