On to World Cup 2009

The Philippines' three campaigners to the World Chess Cup (WCC) 2009 - GM Wesley So, GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr., and GM Darwin Laylo - are definitely on.

That's something for sure.

FIDE is that good when it comes to money it makes sure all the 128 participants from different parts of the globe can report on time in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia for this tough, professional tourney.

Please take note of the word "professional."

Air fares, food, accommodation are no issue. The prize fund set by FIDE can cover for that.

Again, FIDE is that good when it comes to money. Remember a certain member of FIDE's presidential board who proposed to penalize players who arrive late in a FIDE-sanctioned tournament?

Let's look at the prize fund:

Round 1 losers: 64 x USD 6,000
Round 2 losers: 32 x USD 10,000
Round 3 losers: 16 x USD 16,000
Round 4 losers: 8 x USD 25,000
Round 5 losers: 4 x USD 35,000
Round 6 losers: 2 x USD 50,000
Runner-up: 1 x USD 80,000
World Cup winner: 1 x USD 120,000

Total prize fund: USD 1 600 000

Note: According to the FIDE regulation 3.9.2 "A payment of 20% from the above prize fund shall be made to FIDE."

A PH-RU round-trip (Emirates) can cost as low as US$1,021. I guess the remaing amount would be more than enough for the food and accommodation.

Going past Round 1 means you're going back home much richer.

WCC is a professional tournament which offers cash prizes. This is the reason why, I suppose, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) may or may not contribute financially to the campaign of our three chess stars.

Objectively, GMs So, Antonio, and Laylo must be more than thankful if the NCFP provides them a financial support, no matter how meager. In the first place - as I see it - NCFP is not obligated to do so.

Of course, it's best if the NCFP can offer help. But consider that the NCFP had already failed to send an RP team to the World Youth Chess Championship in Turkey for "lack of fund."

Wouldn't it be loathsome if the NCFP shoulders the cost of our professional world chess cup campaigners but not the crusade of our young chess heroes who were supposed to fight for the country's pride and honor through the quest for medals?

That's why the NCFP made a fatal blunder by being able to sponsor international chess events lately here in the country but then failing to send an RP Team to WYCC.

All our three World Cup-bound players need to do is to concentrate on their mental, physical and emotional preparations. The financial aspect has already been well taken care of by FIDE.

Let us all pray for our World Cup-bound players to succeed in their campaign.