Antonio out of Olympiad, PSC payroll

MANILA, Philippines - The National Chess Federation of the Philippines yesterday stripped RP No. 2 Grandmaster Joey Antonio of his spot in the World Chess Olympiad slated Sept. 21-Oct. 3 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia as disciplinary action for failing to play in the ongoing Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Antonio, the country’s perennial board two in past Olympiads, reportedly disobeyed orders by NCFP president Prospero “Butch” Pichay to join at least either the Pichay Cup or Campo Cup this month. He instead participated in minor tournaments in the United States.

“I guess he (Antonio) is afraid to play in strong tournaments like this one,” said Pichay, who ushered in the tournament being done in honor of the late Grand Old Man of chess along with FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov in simple rites also attended by family and close friends3 of the former FIDE chief.

Pichay said the board will decide in a day or two who between International Masters Ronald Dableo and Richard Bitoon will take the spot of Antonio, who will also be stricken out of the Philippine Sports Commission payroll.

The other members of the team are GMs Wesley So, John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Eugene Torre, who is back in the national team after missing the squad that competed in the Dresden Olympiad two years ago.