The following press release from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines has just been sent out to various media agencies in the country. It is a reaction to yesterday's open letter by grandmasters Paragua, Antonio and Torre that set about clarifiying their decision to avoid the currently running Doha Qualifications tournament.
Some parts of this are in Tagalog. Sadly, my Tagalog is rather poor but I think the literal translations I've provided are sufficient. If any Pinoy readers believe I've mistranslated, please advise me immediately. Thanks and thank you again to Iggy Dee for the tip.
PRESS RELEASE
“THE players have no right to dictate on their association.” Thus said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Congressman Prospero “Butch’ Pichay in response to the joint statement made by the country’s top three grandmasters – Eugene Torre, Mark Paragua and Rogelio Antonio Jr. -- yesterday.
Reacting to the open letter by three GMs which was sent to various newspapers yesterday, Pichay said the NCFP has all the right[s] to set the guidelines in the selection of the players it will send to various international competitions abroad.
“As players, they should always follow the rules of the association,” said Pichay, who felt slighted that the three GMs decided to ventilate their grievances directly to the media instead of consulting their officials. Pichay also felt bad that the three GMs decided to boycott the tournament, thus depriving the country’s young players the opportunity to play them in a top-caliber tournament.
“I felt sad for our young players, who missed this opportunity to play against our top-rated players simply because they (GMs) do not agree to the system being used by the NCFP ,” added Pichay. Pichay’s reaction came after Torre, Paragua and Antonio lashed out at the NCFP for choosing the Swiss system of elimination in the selection of the
country’s three representatives to the coming Asian Games in Doha, Qatar scheduled Dec. 1-15.
In their press statement, the three GMs branded the Swiss system as “flawed and demeaning to our stature as the country’s highest-rated GMs.”
The three dramatized their protest [against] the system, adapted by the NCFP, by boycotting the on-going 11-round qualifying tournament to Doha Asiad being held at the SM Mall of Asia.
Also yesterday, GM Nelson Mariano and several international masters came out to defend the NCFP and the system being used to determine the country’s representatives to various international competitions. “Bilang isang player, naniniwala ako na dapat lang na sumunod kami sa mga guidelines na itinalaga ng aming asosasyon, kaya nag-desisyon ako na lumaro na lang sa elims,” (Trans: As a player, I believe that we have to follow the guidelines set out by our association, which is why I decided to play in the eliminations.), said Mariano during a hastily-called press conference at Max’s Restaurant in Quezon Memorial Circle yesterday.
IMs Richard Bitoon, Darwin Laylo, Ronald Dableo, Barlo Nadera, Oliver Dimakiling, John Paul Gomez and Wesley So and veteran NM Mirabeau Maga echoed Mariano’s claim, saying it is only proper that all the players undergo eliminations to prove their worth to the national team. “Kung puro sila na lang na mga GMs, paano naman kaming mga bagong players na mabigyan na pagkakataon,” (Trans: If they are all GMs, then how are we new players to be given a chance?), said Dimakiling, who has already proven his worth by beating Torre in a regular tournament in the past.
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11 comments:
The 3 GMs indeed have no right to dictate on what system to be used in the selection. However, they are entitled to their opinion. And we should respect them for that. As chess enthusiast, i have also misgiving to the swiss system insofar as selecting best players to represent the country is concerned. The NCFP should adopt the best practices used by the chess superpowers.
The 3 GMs indeed have no right to dictate on what system to be used in the selection. However, they are entitled to their opinion. And we should respect them for that. As chess enthusiast, i have also misgiving to the swiss system insofar as selecting best players to represent the country is concerned. The NCFP should adopt the best practices used by the chess superpowers.
I think the three GM's have the right to choose which tournament they would like to join. Cong. Pichay states that the players have no right to dictate over their association or is it "your" association? can we consider the three players dictators when they are merely suggesting a proper way of organizing a qualification tournament. And they are changng the issue! The issue is that the said tournament or/and its form (swiss)is not a good process for selecting the candidates for Doha. The problem is not these 3 GM's not giving the young players a chance to play them but the way or system in which the said GM's will face the young players. Im quite confused since last olympiad they were able to deal with the selection process, The GM's sans Mariano and Villamayor stated that they are not afraid to play anyone nor they are not willing submitt themselves to such tournament as long as it is the right and proper way to select the best representative to Doha.
The 3 GM's dictate or is it the other way around? I have read a post here before, that have foreseen these situations. If my memory serves me right it is about the question of where did the Federation chief get the money for the olympiad player, the laptops, the airfare et al. Its not just because you bring a lot of your money in the organization you could already dictate who and where and when should this or that master should play. You have no right, definitely you have no right! You might have the power, but you have no right!
"You might have the power, but you have no right!"...unfortunately the "power" often gives the people the "right".
It would have been fairly easy to organise a ten player round robin with the best filipino players to select the team. This would have sorted the wheat from the chaff,and I would be amazed if Paragua and Torre wouldnt finish in the top three.
Ps...Amiel,why isnt your tagalog that good? Werent you born in the phillipines?
"You might have the power, but you have no right!"...unfortunately the "power" often gives the people the "right".
It would have been fairly easy to organise a ten player round robin with the best filipino players to select the team. This would have sorted the wheat from the chaff,and I would be amazed if Paragua and Torre wouldnt finish in the top three.
Ps...Amiel,why isnt your tagalog that good? Werent you born in the phillipines?
The three GM's must and should abide by the NCFP decision. We should have respect of authority here. And besides, by submitting themselves to compete in this selection process, we can surely be sure that what we are sending as our delegates are gutsy and have passed the test of fire. Another benefit is that we are giving the local players the needed opportunity to hone their skills against our top players. The only reason that I could think of why these GM's does'nt want to join the elimination process is that, I hate to say it, they are not so sure of themselves anymore. True they are GM, but they do not trust their skills when pitted against local players. Cong. Pitchay, I salute you!
I dont think so, (that the 3 GM's are afraid of the competition), maybe its the "swiss" players that are afraid to face the 3 GM's in a Round Robin. Hindi naman sa hindi pinagibigyan ng pagkakataon yung mga bata (punto nila Kong. Pichay)kundi higit na maganda kung papairalin ang dalawang paraan ng pagpili (swiss and round robin) sa ganitong paraan lahat ng kinauukulan (manlalaro) ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataon. Maganda ang swiss bilang first stage qualifying round dahil higit na maraming manlalaro ang pwedeng sumali, sa round robin naman bilang ikalawa at final qualifying stage masusubukan ang galing at lakas di lamang ng mga nag-qualify dito kundi maging ang mga seeded na player. Kung pinag-usapan at ginawa ang ganitong sistema e di sana walang gulo at lahat ay masaya. Ang tatlong GM ay may mga karapatan ding pansarili kung nais nilang huwag lumaro dahil sa tingin nila ang paraan ay hindi husto o tama, ay maaari. Tulad ng isang demokratikong paraan ng pamamahala, ang mga miyembro o sambayanan ang may-kapangyarihan, nasa kanila ang boto at wala sa iilang naka-upo na nais idikta ang nasa isip nila ay nararapat. Kuhanin mo muna ang panig ng iyong kinakatawan na organisasyon (maliliit na pangkatin man o malaki), ang naisin nila, suhestiyon at mga suliranin bago sabihin o ipa-iral ang iyong hatol Sa gayong paraan higit mong malalaman kung ano ba talaga ang dapat. Sa iyong desisyon pagakatapos kuhanin ang panig ng lahat, dapat ang "lahat" na ito ay kilalanin ang napagkasunduang alituntunin.
This is really quite pathetic.
The 3 GMs are free people and they have the freedom to speak and to choose which tournaments they play in.
It's not like if they said that they will not accept the result of the event and its validity to form the team.
More dialogue? sure, but when will these dictators "aficionados" organizers learn that chess players are not their subordinates, are not their possession?
Javier Gil
Thanks for your comments Javier. But this is really not a question about freedom (or challenges to it).
Of course the GMs are free to speak and choose whatever tournament they want to play in. But remember this: the aim of this event just completed was to find the Philippines' reps to the upcoming Asian Games in Doha. The organiser is RP's national chess body - the NCFP.
If this had been a private event, organised by a private group/individual, then this debate wouldn't be particularly special.
- TCG
Yes, I understand that, and although not very dimplomatic, my comments stand: the GMs are not questioning the validity of the event, they are suggesting improvements and refusing to take part.
I believe they are free citizens and are not breaking any contracts. It's not like if they were working for the Philipino army!
Javier Gil.
Javier -
No one is forcing these GMs to decide one way or the other. They may be criticised by some for not participating. Where I sit, I don't see any issue in criticising these GMs.
- TCG
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