Battle of Grandmasters 2010

If you'd ask me about what could probably be the best media angling to use to rev up the staging of the Battle of the Grandmasters (BOGM) 2010, my answer would be simple and straight: go for another something historic.

It's not so catchy to employ a punch like the possible "three consecutive titles" for GM Wesley So out of three stagings of BOGM. Hmnn, that's simply bloodless.

Remember that the BOGM 2009 saw something historic - that is, for the very firs time, a president of a national chess federation ordered the replay of drawn game between two players. The order drew the attention of the global chess media, believe it! No matter how you look at it, Philippine chess was put at the limelight of the international chess arena, for praise or rebuke, take your pick.

It is not my business to say whether the order was justified or not. My intention is to highlight the drama from what transpired. To make the story short, the game was replayed - with the stern warning that another draw could not be made possible before move 30. In the replay, the game ended in a draw - in move 31!

Now tell me, could there a better angling than that?

Let's watch again the controversial game:
REQUIRES JAVA





Battle of Grandmasters 2010 participants
March 15-22
Dapitan City, Zambonaga del Norte

(based on reports)

MEN

GM Wesley So (defending champion)
GM Joey Antonio
GM Darwin Laylo
GM Eugene Torre
GM John Paul Gomez
GM Mark Paragua
GM Jayson Gonzales
GM Bong Villamayor
IM ROnald Dableo
IM Richard Bitoon
IM Rolando Nolte
FM Haridas Pascua

WOMEN

WFM Shercila Cua (defending champion)
WFM Sherily Cua
WFM Cheradee Chardine Camacho
WIM Beverly Mendoza
WFM Catherine Perena
WFM Cherry Ann Mejia
WNM Daisy Rivera
Christy Lamiel Bernales
Jedara Docena
Jan Jodilyn Fronda
Loreshyl Quizon
Akiko Charmaine Suede

At stake is P200,000 for the champion in the Men's group and P60,000 for the champion in the Women's group, which I hope would be awarded right after the event. Notice the gap in prizes between Men's and Women's champions? Talking of men's dominance in chess. Oh ladies, fight for what is rightfully due you.