World Guinness Chess marathon reset

THE country’s bid to break the world record in chess simultaneous exhibition was forced to wait longer following unforeseen circumstances with regards to the venue.

The event set on July 10-11 is now scheduled on July 31 to August 1 at the fabled arena named after the father of newly elected president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III – the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Coincidentally, the new culmination of the historic event falls on the first death anniversary of Noynoy’s mother and former president Corazon C. Aquino.

Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales will face 600 opponents – mostly varsity players from public schools of the nation capital – and shall notch at least 480 points or 80-percent of the possible score. The current record-holder is Iranian GM Morteza Mahjoob, who faced 500 opponents simultaneously last August 13, 2009 at the Engelab Sports Complex in Tehran, Iran. He recorded 397 wins, 90 draws and 13 losses in almost 19 hours of play.

The organizers learned a few days before the event that they will be charged P3,000 per hour for the use of the venue’s air-conditioning system.

“Nagulat kami pero naiintindihan naman namin ang mga taga Operations ng Philippine Sports Commission,” said Paul Edward Almario, chairman of the co-organizing Manila Sports Council.

“They told us na kung natuloy agad ang event before magkaroon ng transition of power naiwasan sana ang ganitong pangyayari.”

PLDT and the other supporters of the event will cover the bulk of the operating cost, including the preparation expenses of Gonzales.

Registration is free.

“Kung sisingilin namin ang mga participants siguradong mababayaran natin ang sisingilin ng PSC para sa aircon at sa mga tao nila pero hindi naman kasi money-making ang purpose ng event,” said Almario.

Shell, a longtime chess supporter, already vowed to help cover part of the unexpected bill from the venue.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO