Rival groups to send own Olympiad chess teams?

With the last attempt to unify the feuding Philippine Chess Federation and the National Chess Federation of the Philippines bogging down, the two groups have vowed to send their respective delegations to the World Chess Olympiad slated Oct. 27-Nov. 12 in Istanbul, Olympiad.

But while the PCF has its own set of backers which will help finance the participation of its five-player squad, the NCFP needed to seek the assistance of Malacañang after most of its perceived supporters backed out in the aftermath of the chess row.

"They are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, therefore they cannot transact business in the Philippines," said PCF president Jess Ingeniero, quoting SEC officials.

Among those who withdrew their support to the NCFP were Social Security System, Real Bank, Land Bank of the Phils., Shell and lawyer Andy Gatmaitan.

Worse, the GM Eugene Torre-led NCFP was asked to move out of the Philippine Chess Society building in Quezon City, their base when they put up the organization early this year.

Gerry Acuzar, president of the New San Jose Builders who was named by the NCFP as its head of delegation to the Istanbul Olympiad, has backed out of the trip and decided to withdraw his support to the group after talks between Torre and PCF chairman Art Borjal bogged down early in the week.

Acuzar, a noted chess patron, has asked the help of Borjal to try to settle things down and come up with a common team to the Olympiad. But Torre reportedly turned down both proposals upon consultation with the NCFP leaders.

The first option was to put up a team composed of three players from each camp while the other was to have Torre as head of the team with all the five other members to come from the PCF. Both proposals will have the team playing under the PCF banner.

US-based GM-elect Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr., now rated by the USCF at 2549, will lead the PCF-backed squad, which will also include IM Richard Bitoon, Enrique Paciencia, Rolly Martinez and Petronio Roca.

Short of funds and supporters, the NCFP officials have sought the help of President Estrada in a last ditch attempt to raise funds for the group’s alleged trip.