Campo needs time to recover

International Chess Federation (FIDE) honorary president Florencio Campomanes won’t be able to celebrate his 80th birthday here the way he had wished for.

This after the former FIDE president was disallowed to return to the country in time for his birthday on Feb. 22 since he would need more time to recover from the operation he undertook in repairing two neck bones, according to his doctors.

Turkish Chess Federation president Ali Nihat Yazici said he had already talked with Campomanes though briefly after his operation following a vehicular accident in Antalya, Turkey two days ago.

"The condition of Campo is good and there is no fatal risk. However, he is still under intensive care in order to accelerate the treatment," said Yazici. — Joey Villar