Strongest chess team to AG eyed

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino officials are upbeat about the country’s medal chances in the four chess events slated in the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November, especially with a full complement led by top player GM Wesley So and veteran GM Joey Antonio.

So, ranked 60th in world by the International Chess Federation (Fide) with an Elo of 2674, will make his debut in the Asiad where he’ll play board one for RP in the men’s standard chess team event and join board two Antonio (2575) in the men’s individual rapid chess competition.

Joining forces with So and Antonio are fellow World Chess Olympiad-bound GMs John Paul Gomez (2527), Darwin Laylo (2522), and Eugene Torre (2489) as the team’s alternate.

“We have assembled our strongest team for the Asian Games and I think we have a good chance in both the men’s team and individual events,” National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero Pichay said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

Last time in Doha, Qatar, Laylo and IM Ronald Dableo filled up the two slots the country was allowed to send, missing the podium at eighth place.

“Definitely, we have better chances now,” Pichay said. “Wesley is tried and tested already, having beaten the likes of (Ukrainian GM Vassily) Ivanchuk and (American GM Gata) Kamsky and if he will play solid in Guangzhou, we might get to the top. Even John Paul Gomez has been really doing well, honing his skills the last two months.”

NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos said they consider bets from host China, India and Vietnam as the biggest stumbling block to the Pinoys’ bid.

In the women’s division, the NCFP will field WFMs Cheradee Camacho (2186), Sherily Cua (2156), and Catherine Perena (2522), and national champ Rulp Ylem Jose (2103) and alternate Jedara Docena (2033) in standard chess team. Camacho and Perena will vie in the individual rapid chess.

“Our women’s bets will be out there fighting but it will be a tall order against opponents with higher Fide ratings,” Abalos said.