IT’S all about chess and the men and women who make the country proud with their long list of achievements in the 43rd edition of the “Sports on Air” via Zoom this Thursday, Oct. 20.

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and National Ches Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) executive director GM Jayson Gonzales will talk about the Filipinos’ success in various international competitions, including the FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India and the ASEAN Para Games in Solo, Indonesia.

Frayna, who made history by becoming the country’s first woman grandmaster in 2017, will also discuss efforts to encourage more Filipino female players to take up the sport.

Gonzales will also announce the schedule of remaining tournaments lined up for the rest of the year, including the Asian Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Tagaytay City on Nov.17-26.

The NCFP, headed by President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, is one of the most active national sports associations during the pandemic by focusing on online chess competitions.

Two of the country’s brightest young players, Alekhine Nouri and Mhage Sebastian, are also currently competing in the World Juniors and Girls Chess Championships in Sardinia, Italy.

Also in the busy NCFP calendar are the grand finals of the National Junior chess championships on Oct. 24-28 at the Vista Mall in Malolos, Bulacan; and the National Women’s Chess Championships on Nov. 28-Dec. 3 at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters in Quezon City.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya