UB honors chess mover ‘Campo’
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:27:00 03/26/2009
Filed Under: Chess,
Education

MANILA, Philippines—Former International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Florencio Campomanes was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa) by the University of Baguio during its commencement exercises recently.

Campomanes made Baguio his favored city in the 1970s and ‘80s when he held several international chess tournaments there.

Baguio became a byword in international sports for almost 100 days in 1978 when it hosted the titanic World Championship confrontation between the Soviet Union’s Anatoly Karpov and Russian emigre Viktor Korchnoi of Switzerland.

Campomanes is also credited with guiding the early careers of such Filipino chess stars like Grandmasters Eugene Torre and Rosendo Balinas and International Masters Rodolfo Tan Cardoso and Renato Naranja.

“I have always subscribed to the view that the Filipino is capable of great deeds and great achievements,” Campomanes, who was also honored with the position honorary president for life by the FIDE in recognition of his immense contribution to the game of chess, told the graduates.

In its tribute to Campomanes, the university cited his “brilliant, dynamic leadership and impressive, solid achievements in the field of sports.”

University of Baguio officials led by president Herminio C. Bautista and VP for academic affairs Dr. Veronica S. Garcia conferred the honorary degree on Campomanes.

Ted S. Melendres

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net

Posted by Picasa
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Tags: ,