RP chessers off for World Olympiad

The Philippine chess team finally secured its Shengen visas and left for Spain last night, hoping to arrive in Palma, Mallorca at 2 p.m. today (European time) in time for the opening of 36th World Chess Olympiad.

After a week of uncertainties, the team got a big lift from Department of Foreign Affairs head Alberto Romulo, who helped facilitate in securing the Shengen visas the earliest possible time.

"Napakalaking tulong ang naibigay sa atin ni Sec. Romulo. Mabuti na lang at inilapit kami ni Atty. Mat (Defensor) sa kanya," said team captain Sammy Estimo, secretary-general of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Defensor, the NCFP board chairman and Quezon City third district representative, sought the help of Romulo after the Spanish Embassy consul hinted that the delegation’s visas might only be released on Thursday, which would mean at least one default game for both the men’s and women’s squads.

Competition starts on Friday.

Despite the travel woes encountered by the team heading to the Olympiad, NCFP president Go Teng Kok remains upbeat about the country’s chances.

After offering the top board to higher rated comrades, it looks like Grandmaster Eugene Torre will still on Board 1 for the 18th straight time.

The tentative order of players in the men’s has GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. playing in Board 2, GM-elect Mark Paragua in Board 3, International Master Jayson Gonzales in Board 4, National Master Emmanuel Senador in Board 5 and national champion NM Darwin Laylo in Board 6.