Schedule matters

Let us look at the schedules of significant chess events in and out of the Philippines where our leading chess players are set to play.

GM Susan Polgar's Spice Cup is scheduled to run from September 19 to 29 in Texas, US. The world of chess knows that GM Wesley So, the No.1 chess player in the country today and the most sought after by Filipino chess fans, will compete in that international event.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) has stuck to its original schedule of holding the 4th President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (PGMA) Cup International Chess Championship on September 24 to 30 at the Duty Free Fiestamall, Paranaque City.

It only means that GM So cannot play in the 4th PGMA Cup.

And then, the 5th Prospero A. Pichay, Jr. Cup Chess Championship will be held from October 1 - 8, at the Local Water Utilities Administration Bldg located at Katipunan Road in Diliman, Quezon City, venue of the Asian Indoor qualifying event.

The 5th Pichay Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Bacolod City, but a change of venue was announced lately. Of course, the sudden change of venue comes either as a blessing or annoyance to players and chess fans, depending on which situation they are in.

I don't think it is still possible for GM Wesley to join the Pichay Cup either. And if so, it would surely be very tiresome considering the jet lag. Imagine that the Philippines is ahead in time of Lubbock, Texas by around 13 hours. Wesley will play up to September 29, 2pm, US time.