Commercial chess, again

Remember the recently concluded 2009 Barley Essential Rapid Chess tournament which was topped by GM Wesley So?

It was sponsored by a commercial firm which is a new name in the chess tournament circle in the country.

And now, once again, the Battle of GMs 2009 which is now running in Dapitan City is being bankrolled by another private business entity - the Phoenix Petroleum.

Well, well, well . . . the signs are good indeed.

With the business sector's huge support which has been gaining in momentum recently, our local chess talents could look forward for brighter days.

More private sponsors means more opportunities for our players.

May we see more new names of private companies sponsoring chess tourneys in the near future.