FOURTH ROUND PREDICTION IN WORLD CHESS CUP—PICHAY

NATIONAL Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. is very confident that the three Filipino chess grandmasters—Wesley So, Joey Antonio Jr., and Darwin Laylo will make it to the fourth round of the World Chess Cup.

“Kumpiyansa ako na maka abot silang tatlo sa fourth round ng World Chess Cup,” said Pichay.

The triumvirate are yesterday’s guest in the weekly SCOOP Forum in Kamayan Restaurant in Manila.

“Nagpapasalamat ako kasi tatlo kami ngayon at may kasama ako. Mahirap kasi pag mag isa ka lamang na nag qualify. Grabe ang pressure,” said the Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Antonio, first of only three Filipinos to qualify in the World Cup 2009 (FIDE World Chess Championships) slated on November 20 to December 15 in Khanty, Mansiyk, Russia.

Antonio, the country’s lone qualifier in the 1999 Las Vegas, Nevada’s World Chess Championships losing to eventual runner-up Armenia Super GM Vladimir Akopian in the second round knock-out stage in the play off matches.

On Laylo’s part,” Gagawin lamang namin ang aming best,” said the Marikina City native who bowed to French champion and Super GM Etienne Bacrot in the last World Chess Cup.

“Medyo excited po ako kais first time ko makapaglaro sa World Chess Cup,’ commented So, the RP’s brightest hope.

The trio are guarantee at least US$6,000 for make it to the tournament proper in World Chess Cup.

Eugene Torre, Asia’s First GM made it to the quarter-final round in the Candidate Matches in 1983 losing to Hungrarian GM Zoltan Ribli. Torre, the long-time vanguard of RP chess is the 1982 Inter Zonal Champion in Toluca, Mexico.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.