NCFP plans to drop GM Antonio from RP chess team

Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey" Antonio may find himself out of the RP National men’s chess team after competing in several US tournaments without the approval of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). Antonio is currently in the US and will compete in the Atlantic Open from August 27 to 29. He earlier topped the 2nd Central California Open held last August 19 to 22. Antonio, who was funded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), defeated the likes of American GMA Jesse Kraai and Filipino IM Enrico Sevillano. The three woodpushers ended up tied on top with identical 4.5 points after six games but Antonio had the highest quotient with three wins and three draws. Antonio, however, faces punishment from the National Sports Association (NSA) of chess after pushing through with his trip despite not getting the go signal from NCFP president Prospero Pichay. He told the NCFP that both tournaments will help him in his preparation for the 39th World Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from September 21 to October 3 and the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China in November. “The US tournaments are three days only and are not sanctioned by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs, or World Chess Federation) thus the quality of competition is not that high," said NCFP executive director Willie Abalos. Pichay earlier asked members of the national men and women teams to compete in two FIDE-sanctioned events in the Philippines – the 6th Pichay Cup and the 1st Florencio Campomanes Memorial Cup – since top GMs will compete in both tournaments. The Pichay Cup is ongoing while the Campomanes Cup opens on Saturday. Abalos added that they had already asked Antonio to return immediately so he could compete in the Campomanes Cup or else lose his spot in the national team. Antonio ranks second in the country behind Super GM Wesley So. Completing the team are GMs John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Eugene Torre. “We are giving him the chance and will wait until Saturday. If he fails to show up then we have no other choice but to replace him," added Abalos.