One-on-one with Wesley So’s coach
By Eric Dimzon
8:50 pm | Thursday, July 3rd, 2014
NAGTAPOS sa ikalawang puwesto si Grandmaster Wesley So sa prestihiyosong 9th Edmonton Chess Festival na ginanap kamakailan sa Alberta, Canada. Nasa Top 20 rankings sa buong mundo ngayon si Wesley at sa kagustuhang makapasok sa Top 10 ay hinihiling niyang payagan siya ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) na makapaglaro siya para sa koponan ng USA. Sa isang eksklusibong panayam ni Bandera correspondent Eric Dimzon sa tumatayong coach ni So sa US na si Susan Polgar ay inilahad nito ang kanilang plano at saloobin tungkol sa isyu.
When did Wesley So start having problems with the NCFP?
I do not think he has a problem with the NCFP or anyone. Wesley is serious about his chess. He just wants a chance to improve and be the absolute best he can be. This is not a personal issue with the NCFP or anyone in particular.
Do you feel that Wesley So is being punished because he dares to go against the country’s top sports officials?
Right now, there has been no decision by the NCFP or top officials. However, the NCFP should have the official transfer forms already. It is now up to them to make the decision which will clearly affect Wesley’s future, one way or the other. I can only answer this question after they make their decision. But they need to make the decision ASAP.
Is money an issue?
This has nothing to do with the money. This has to do with Wesley wanting a chance to be a chess contender. He simply wants to be in an environment that can give him the best chance.
Can So play for USA?
As of right now, Wesley is playing for no team. He cannot play for the Philippines as that would reset his transfer time by another 2 years. In addition, he already signed a binding contract to coach team USA. Therefore, he cannot play for the Philippines while coaching the US. He also cannot play for the US because the NCFP has not released him yet. In the meantime, he has missed out on several big events already, and will continue to miss more important events until the NCFP releases him or the 2 year waiting period is up.
Why is there a need for Wesley to play for the US?
Because this is a very crucial age for his chess development. Time is the essence. He cannot afford to waste this time. It will severely hamper his chess growth. He cannot do battle and compete on equal footing against other young stars such as Caruana, Nakamura, Giri, etc. and spot them another few years head start. He already did. He should have had proper training and assistance 2-3 years earlier.
What I do not understand is why some people decided to personally attack Wesley and accuse him for being unpatriotic. This is so ridiculous and insulting.
He is simply a 20-year-old kid who loves chess, has a great deal of talent, knows his dreams, wants to fulfill it, and is willing to work hard for it. He is a Filipino by birth and by citizenship. He has always proudly represented his Motherland. There are millions of Filipinos living and working overseas in the US, Canada, UAE, Australia, and many other countries. Are they all unpatriotic? Are they all no longer Filipino at heart?
In addition, Wesley’s family already immigrated to North America several years ago, just as countless other Filipinos. This garbage is not what Wesley needs. Let’s stay on course and focus on the real issues. What he needs now is the right opportunity, a complete peace of mind and the proper support.
Is So still part of the Philippine team?
As of right now, even though the transfer has not been finalized, and Wesley still wears the flag of the Philippines, I believe Mr. (Richie) Garcia said that he has stopped the support.
It is not about getting his dues. Wesley is working very hard on his chess. He needs the right opportunity and right environment to excel.
Do you think that Wesley So has reached his peak as a chess player?
Not at all! He has a lot more to go before he reaches his peak. But the most important factor now is time. He needs to know the decision from the NCFP asap so he can plan his career accordingly. It affects his career each day that this is delayed.
What will make So stay with the NCFP?
Nothing as of right now! The decision has been made. He will either switch now if the NCFP wants to help him grow as they said in the past that they want to see him excel, or he will sit out of official FIDE events for one more year if they want to punish him. The ball is on their court. Once Wesley reaches his ultimate goals, there is a definite possibility that he will switch back. The bottom line is the whole world is watching the decision of the NCFP closely. Do they want to help Wesley and make things easier for him to excel and get to the top as they have always said that they would, or do they want him to waste another valuable year of his chess development? They cannot stop him. They can only delay his chess career by another year.
Any message to sports leaders in the Philippines?
Officials must understand the needs of the players, especially the top ones, and they need to communicate better. Wesley reached out to the NCFP since last November. He is the top player in the Philippines. This could have been resolved 7-8 months ago and it would have helped Wesley’s career. He should be fully focused on his school work and chess, not fighting for his chess life or future. — Eric Dimzon
Source: http://bandera.inquirer.net
Update: Wesley just received an email today, July 3, 2014, from the NCFP Secretariat about the upcoming Chess Olympiad, with the attachment of an official communication letter from Chairman Pichay to PSC Chairman Garcia on the official team composition of players and coaches of the Philippines in the upcoming Chess Olympiad (which includes Wesley, Oliver Barbosa, Julio Saddora, Eugenio Torre, and John Paul Gomez). This is more than a month after the submission deadline for the Tromsø Chess Olympiad.
Wesley immediately responded to Chairman Pichay restating that he did make 2 requests to transfer federation (last November and again a little more than a month ago). He officially declined his official invitation today (July 3, 2014), the same day he received the email, and reaffirmed to Chairman Pichay his duty as coach of the US team after he failed to hear anything from the NCFP after the June 1, 2014 deadline to submit a roster for the Chess Olympiad.
In the same email, Wesley also made the third request to Chairman Pichay for consent to immediately switch federation to the US. It is now up to Chairman Pichay and the NCFP to decide what course of action to take.
Go Wesley!
So will for sure receive a lifetime ban from Chairman Pichay. You can’t disrespect the Chairman by not playing.
There you go again! Darn you are really slow… up to now still has no work… you are a useless case
Who cares about lifetime ban from pechay? Disrespect? Eh di nga ni re respeto and mga pinoy chess players sa Pinas. Para silang second class citizens and turing sa kanila.
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Huwag mong patulan yan… kung hindi ang Nakamura fan yan tiga NCFP yan malamang si pichay, gonzales o estimo lol
Wesley So and his coach, Susan Polgar, have to keep in mind that they’re dealing with a seasoned politician and power-broker, Pichay, who will push his own agenda and interest to the limit. Pichay is also backed by a bigger political power-player, Peping Cojuangco, whose statements on Wesley’s request for the federation transfer can be summed up in one word: “No”.
The only way to beat these guys at their own political game is to put sufficiently heavy political pressure on them, while providing them a way to “save face”. The efforts of the former Senator, Nikki Coseteng, and the possible involvement and support of the Filipino boxing superstar and Congressman, Manny Pacquiao, are steps in the right direction.
However, if Pichay and Cojuangco turn out to be immovable objects in this political game, then Wesley So has no choice but to (1) sit out FIDE-sponsored chess events for another year or so, or (2) pay the 50,000 Euros the NCFP probably is hoping to receive from any of potential Wesley supporters (e.g., Manny Pacquiao, an avid chess player/hobbyist).
Pichay and Cojuangco are NOT power broker as you claimed… they are only hungry of position and funds to serve as their ATM machines… Both are corrupt especially Pichay and very much an INCOMPETENT Sports official. To Pichay and Peping, ma karma sana kayong dalawa sampu ng mga pamilya niyo lalo na kayong dalawa, mga bweset!
As a young talented chess player, wesley is better to go to USA for the better future…
I have been following these posts for awhile and I still don’t completely follow the advantages of being a member of the US Federation vs. being a member of the Phillipines Federation while living in the US. The interview mentions:
“He should have had proper training and assistance 2-3 years earlier.”
Obviously he’s been getting some such assistance from Webster. Does the US Federation offer such assistance to top members? My impression, from public comments by various GMs including Nakamura, is that there really isn’t much support from the USCF. Is that impression incorrect? Or would there be such assistance from private sources, such as the Samford or SLCC, but only if GM So transfers federations?
Or is the issue, rather than what I quoted above, playing in official FIDE events — World Cup, Olympiad, etc. — and are GM So’s chances of participating greater if representing the US than if representing the Phillipines?
I realize that some of the details may be sensitive such that no one wants to discuss them publicly – but the constant discussions without clarity are confusing to some of us.
I’m certainly not criticizing GM So for his decision. He should do whatever he thinks best for himself and no one should begrudge him that. I just don’t completely understand why the transfer is best for him.
If you dont understand, then your an idiot. Nice try NCFP estimo or gonzales? You NCFP guys are losing the public opinion polls in the Philippines. You dont understand because you dont want to and the fact that you are all praise to your boss Pichay despite the fact you know very much the kind of person he is. And for your info,its not only GM Wesley So packing his bags for other federation but also GM’s Oliver Barbosa & Mark Paragua. The problem with you NCFP guys you only pick to bully GM Wesley So where in fact three GM’s are leaving the Philippines. That is puzzling & motive highly suspicious.
There are huge advantages, but it is not something I can discuss publicly without Wesley’s consent. He has virtually no chance to rise to the top being in the Philippines, not in today’s world.
Playing under the National Chess Federation of the Philippines has LOTS of DISADVANTAGES. First, POLITICIZE organization. Leadership of the NCFP is highly politicize with its President Pichay a known dirty politician with a very bad public service record and a corrupt one. He is not fit to be in NCFP. Then you also have politicians in the Board of Directors. Its precisely making the NCFP a playground of politicians. No wonder GM’s So, Barbosa and Paragua all are packing their bags in disgust of NCFP (un)leadersip & (mis)management. Second, Lack of adequate support, financial & technical training & limited or none at all exposure to strong events abroad. GM Wesley So stuck on the 2600 plus level for years and only after transfering to Webster @ Coach Susan did he actually make a breakthrough & break the 2700 mark. Like Vietnam & China, government support to its chess players is all out spending millions to hire foreign coaches, extensive training abroad & playing in strong tourneys in Europe & America. If Vietnam is able to do it with GM Le I see bo reason why the Philippines not doing the same to GM So but they are not doing it anyway. Because chess funds are used for personal stuff not for players.
Third disadvantage playing for NCFP, too many restrictions and conditions. Basically NCFP will mandate, at their pleasure, whims & caprices GM So to play in tournaments that the NCFP wants without due consideration to the fact that GM Wesley So is a full-time student in Webster University and about the only thing that NCFP thru Philippine Sports Commussion do to help Wesley with his expenses is a measely $ 900 per month allowance. What can a $ 900 do to a rising elite player like GM So? $ 900 CANNOT hire a top notch chess coach, not sufficient as travel fund for expenses in fares, hotel accommodation, food etc. Its basically NCFP telling GM So here is $ 900 per month, if your expenses exceeds that amount its your problem not ours. But whatever success you gain in the international scene, credit will go to NCFP. Its line frying yourself with your your own cooking oil, you do the hardwork then NCFP grabs the credit. Absurd but thats the truth. Fourth, competitions in Philippines is almost at an extint level rarely do top competitions happens because of lack of budget. Weak tourneys in Philippines and Asia. Thats why you see girls beating Phippines GM’s BADLY. Most of the Philippines Grandmasters are of POOR/INFERIOR QUALITY thats why they are easily beaten in international tournaments. Thats a product of abandonment, no serious training program/system, whole Philippine Chess program in dissaray. After manufacturing GM’s with inhouse tournaments, these Philippines GM went from player to mere spectator. And once they start to play again, they will lose most of the time as they are always off-form, ill-trained & not adequately supported by NCFP. Disgusted they chose to be inactive while others leave like GM Wesley So, Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua. And to show people how weak Philippine GM’s look at the result of their recent Battle of the Grandmasters Tourney (a qualification tourney for the Tromso Chess Olympiad) which was won by 60 years old GM Eugene Torre a senior citizen. Where did all the GM’s that NCFP Pichay claim he produced? ZERO all gone because they are weak. Philippine GM’s can EASILY BEATEN by Girls and Senior Citizens/Old Players. That’s the sad state of Philippine Chess under NCFP President Prospero Pichay.
As a 1565 over the board player, i can tell GM So that I will coach him for $ 900. I have a coached my sister and her friends. I have experience and I am dedicated. We can negotiate GM So if you want. Thank you.
You cant even increase your elo stuck at 1,565 it means you are an incompetent chess player moreso a coach lol Are you even a chess player or domino player? lol Go play yourself pusoy dos or bingo games your better at it than being a “chess player” LOL
In response to Bob’s questions about the reasons GM Wesley So decided to switch federations — after reading extensively about this issue — I’ve concluded that the “simple” answer is: “It’s complicated”.
However, I think that above all else, what precipitated (and probably solidified) Wesley So’s decision to leave the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) is when the NCFP, thru the action of its leader, Pichay, LITERALLY IGNORED Wesley So’s Gold Medal performance at the Universiade student olympics, depriving him of both the recognition AND the financial reward (1 million Philippine pesos, or about $25,000) for the achievement.
In essence, when you see a chess federation refusing to recognize Wesley So’s accomplishment and depriving him of his due reward, MANDATED BY THE RULES for such achievement, Wesley So’s decision to leave the NCFP is very simple to make.
Despite this decision to switch chess federations, however, we believe Wesley So knows in his heart who he is and where he comes from. And an overwhelming majority of Filipinos all over the world believe him, and in him.
We wish Wesley the best of everything, now and in the years ahead.
Yang Pechay na yan ! Dapat itapon na yan sa kangkungan ! Ang kapal ng apog!! Ang dami nang bumabatikos hindi pa rin natatauhan. Pwe!!
Si Pichay MAKAPUKAL ang MUKHA sing kapal ng gulong ng eroplano… Masahol pa sa demonyo yan MAGNANAKAW kasi. Nakakahiyang aminin pero ang gamit niya pang suporta sa pamilya niya galing sa kaban ng bayan mana sa amo niyang si Gloria. Ayun di makabalik sa gobyerno bad record sinibak kasi ng Ombudsman dahil sa anomalya sa LWUA. Kahit aning gawin niyo KAPIT TUKO yan sa pwesto sa NCFP wala na kasi mapuntahan blacklisted na. Kung me delicadeza yan tagal na yan nag resign sa NCFP pero walang hiya kasi. Kakahiya sa asawa at mga anak mo Prospero Pichay. Sabagay me pagka demonyo ka talaga lol
STOP POWER PLAY!!! Give Wesley So his Right to Choose and he chooses USCF!! Yet he is still a Filipino THE WORLD KNOWS THAT!!!
STOP POWER PLAY!!! Give Wesley So his Right to Choose and he chooses USCF!! Yet he is still a Filipino THE WORLD KNOWS THAT!!!
Wesley So’s decision should be respected. This is for his own good. I was just a bit wondering about coaching the US Team in the forthcoming Chess olympiad. Isnt it better if Coach Susan be the coach of the US team. So is just 20 years old though talented knew little or none in coaching a foreign team not just individual player but the team. I salute to the great respect and trust the USCF is giving So to coach a US team. Will he tell Nakamura and Kamsky,”dont play and let the others play”, or “play for draw” or “accept the draw”. As a chess coach, So will set the battle plan and lead their training camps. I just do hope the US team will like So’s coaching style and attitude. If not, Im quite sure this may affect So’s relations with US players and his games as well.
Monden, Wesley So had been coach of the U.S. Team before (I think it was European Team Championships). Besides, Wesley will be one of 2 U.S. coaches for the 2014 Olympiad and will therefore share responsibilities with the other coach.
Likewise, I believe that Wesley’s role will most likely be, for the most part, helping the players with their pre-game preparations and analysis.
Let us not finger point, be objective and let’s move ahead.
Give Wesley what he ask for while he is blooming and while he thinks he can achieve his goal. He has done so much for our country and we should all be proud of that, what else can you ask for? Let’s forget about the 50k euro and unpatriotic for he had done so much beyond our expectations.
As for Pichay and the NCFP, I believe that they have done their job well and one testament of their product is Wesley So, improved ratings of other GM’s, IM’s, NM’s, FM’s. But, that is all that they can do, in other words it is limited. The opportunity here in the US is immense and sky is the limit, we can’t find it in Asia much less the Philippines.