Antonio slams 2 masters

Barely on its second month as the country’s governing chess body, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines found itself being rocked by the reported rift between two of its top officials.

Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr., one of the NCFP’s vice presidents, withdrew from the recently-concluded RP Blitz Chess Championship reportedly due to director Bobby Ang’s insistence of allowing players who are not members of the association to play in the one-day event.

Antonio was said to have objected to the idea of admitting International Master Richard Bitoon and National Master Rolly Martinez, members of the Philippine Chess Federation team sent to teheWorld Championships in Istanbul last October.

He said the two could not be included in the tournament since they are not yet members.

After a deliberation on the matter, the board of directors of the NCFP, in the spirit of reconciliation, eventually allowed the two players to join, prompting Antonio, the fancied player in the event, to pull out of the tournament.

Sources told The STAR that Ang had wanted Bitoon and Martinez to participate as a gesture of reconciliation with those players identified with the PCF.

What Antonio did not like, the source added, was Ang’s alleged statement that the NCFP is allowing Bitoon and Martinez to play in the spirit of the season and since the prize money was put up by Ang himself.

A total purse of P60,000 was staked in the event ruled by IM-candidate Jayson Gonzales.

Antonio and Ang, including NCFP president GM Eugene Torre, who decided not to participate, had refused to comment on the controversy.