PH loses Barbosa, Barcenilla returns

Already missing Super Grandmaster Wesley So, Team Philippines will have to make do without GM Oliver Barbosa as well in its campaign in the 41st Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

Barbosa, who is in the United States, informed the National Chess Federation of the Philippines yesterday that he still hasn’t obtained a Schengen visa and is giving up his board 2 slot in the Open division.

NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales, also the coach of the Women’s team, was ready to fill in despite his lack of tournament play the past two years.

A call from United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, however, spared Gonzales from intense pressure.

Barcenilla, who on Saturday backed out as coach of the national Open team due to threats of terrorist attack in Norway, reconsidered his decision and said he’s proceeding to Tromso in time for the Olympiad set Aug. 1 to 15.

Gonzales left with Torre, GM John Paul Gomez and International Master Paulo Bersamina and Women players WIMs Chardine Cheradee Camacho, Janelle Mae Frayna and Catherine Perena and Woman Fide Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Christy Lamiel Bernales last night for Doha (Qatar), en route to Arlanda (Stockholm) and then Tromso.

US-based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, who’ll man board 1 in lieu of So, will hook up with Team Philippines in Tromso. So is moveing over to the US Federation.