MANILA, Philippines—Super Grandmaster Wesley So spearheaded the lineup submitted by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines for the 41st Chess Olympiad slated in August in Tromso, Norway.
“We want him to play, that’s why we included him in the list,” NCFP president Butch Pichay said Saturday. “But we’re not forcing him to play.”
So wanted to transfer from the NCFP to the United States Chess Federation and posted his letter of request to Pichay though the blog of GM Susan Polgar, his coach at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.
So, who vaulted to world No. 15 following his triumph in last month’s Capablanca Memorial, also claimed that as early as November last year he had informed the NCFP of his decision to represent the Philippines one last time in the Tromso Olympiad and then switch federations.
Pichay clarified, however, that the NCFP never received such letters and if So did it by way of his blog, then it’s not the proper medium to do it.
“Personally, I wish him all the best. But as president of NCFP I am answerable to the Filipino people,” added Pichay, who said So continues to receive a monthly stipend of P40,000 from the Philippine Sports Commission.