That is the problem in the Philippines. Politicians want to gain publicity so they go for big events. I do not see any problem with big events but where is the program for the scholastic or youth chess? If this country can produce the same money to develop chess and hosts events for the youths,then hosting big events like this can be justified.
Result? A disaster finish by the RP team in the chess olympiad.
Philippine chess officials should stop promoting chess by advertisements. They should promote chess from the grassroots.

Monday, November 24, 2008 6:30:00 PM CST

Where do you think the young talents, the new Philippine GMs come from?
They come from exposure to big local events where their talents are developed from international exposure.
The disaster finish is not at all the end of Philippine chess. That is how the young GMs learn and gain experience and become stronger, which the Philippines will, in the next few years.
More important, is the opportunity of ALL aspiring chess talent to be able to play and get their IM and GM norms, in Pichay's leadership.
That was not the case during Campo's reign, where he would just pick and promote a few of his privileged players. Torre was his only so called only "manok" who did well. But Torre was a self made talent. Like Balinas, who gained the GM title despite Campo's ill treatment.
We had other Filipino talents who left during Campo's reign. IM Barcenilla who supposedly got his GM norm in New York, but did not get the favors of Toti Abundo and Campo. And IM Enrico Sevillano, who graced the November 2008 Chess Life cover as the current U.S. Open Champion.
Campo single handedly repressed Philippine chess development in his over 50 years of so his called "chess leadership." What a sham.
China, India, Vietnam is far ahead of the Philippines.
But Campo did well for himself, did'nt he? The honorary swindler.

Monday, November 24, 2008 8:39:00 PM CST

Campomanaes is goddess. Because of he FIDE is popular and chess is world sport. He likes president Ilumzinow.

Monday, November 24, 2008 11:31:00 PM CST

Campo sux big time. Pinoy journalism also.
subious

Monday, November 24, 2008 11:33:00 PM CST

I am not praising Campomanes either, I am just saying that grassroots development in the Philippines still has to be realized.
Fifty years of Campo and another 2 decades of post Campomanes era, Philippines Youth Chess has still no regular tournament calendar except for the age group qualifying tournament to determine the delegates to the world youth championships. Kids from the different regions of the country has no provincial/regional/national events on a regular basis where they can develop their chess skills.
I guess hosting big events are good but there is not much plan outhere for youth development.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:02:00 AM CST

Also Ed, as much as you are promoting philippine chess in your article, you sounds (at least to me) like you are also promoting your congressman Pichay.
This kind of things I say that really is a sad part of Philippine journalism.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:07:00 AM CST