Looks like Pres Kirsan's decision to have another WCC late this year has some timing problems for prospective donors. As a chessmate shared his insights, Norway is hard pressed with the Chess Olympiad, while India just spent bigtime.

Dunno what are the concerns / apprehensions of London and the US. I thought Champ Magnus' road tours including with some US billionaires was drumming up higher interest in the sport?

From that list, Kirsan holds a 'wide lead' in Africa and Americas, and EVEN in Asia and Europe. But list of European Feds only show 7 - 5 in favor of Kirsan and I think they have a lot more votes, so probably that would be a key battleground, and Russia has influence there pero may Feds din daw may concern w/ Kirsan's rule.

- Main beef vs Kirsan is his broken promise on the Campo Cup series after Campo's demise, there was supposed to be 10 legs across Asia with $ 100K prize money each, pero ang natuloy lang eh yung leg sa Manila. Pagdating ng Myanmar (Kirsan already won) eh $10k na lang ang premyo.

- So, during Gary's first visit here in Oct, Pres. Pichay already pledged his support.

Could it be that the example of Manila paved the way to the cutting of sizable prize fund? How can we even demand another go at it or handle a similar event if we can't even stage a good one under NCFP?

Ayon sa kuwento, Mr Kirsan daw was willing to turnover the pledged $ 1M na (may pondo na raw, this was during campaign period), but a 'bright boy' daw in NCFP counterproposed na gawing 10 legs of $100K each ?!

- Nung Asian Team event sa Tagaytay around Dec 2013, ACF's Toti was actually initially groomed as the SecGen in Kirsan's ticket, and when he reportedly asked Pres. Pichay eh the latter adviced he's supporting Gary. Kaya during karaoke time, ang kanta daw ni Sir Toti ay 'My Way'.

- Part siguro ng pledge ng Gary camp are those 2 KCF / Kasparov Chess Foundation GM Invitational events, back in Jan this year NCFP calendared it for April, then re-sked to this May, but still no news. Gary pledged $ 10K for Yolanda victims during his visit here. But for the $25k contributions he makes to the Federations, eh he did release to Malaysia, but heard 'on hold' pa for PHI. Seems they're still not yet 100% sure, until the voting is done ?

- There must still be other underlying reasons for Kirsan's camp to still vigorously pursue the NCFP/ PHI vote, aside from the 'sentimental' reason that the late Campo groomed Kirsan for the FIDE Presidency. Maybe PHI is still seen as having 'historical role' in Asian chess, or still has 'residual influence' ?

Efforts to reach Pichay through his cell phone proved in vain.>

This is how Filipino businessmen behave during elections--they bet on both horses so whoever wins, they don't lose.

GM Wesley's inclusion is a no-brainer while GM Ino and GM Oli's appointment maybe subject to debate but for me it is a welcome development.

I still thank GM Ino to this day for giving way in the last Olympiad. It paved the way for the team to need one more member. Whether it was GM Torre or GM Barbosa who benefited from GM Ino's begging off is no longer important. What is important is that both players were able to join the team and contributed significantly to the improved performance of the Philippines from 50th place to 21st.

Moreover, GM Torre broke the Olympiad record of 20 appearances.

GM Oli's inclusion is a logical move. He has proven himself to be capable of holding the Board 2 position plus his performance this year has been simply outstanding.

For GM Eugene Torre, it will a little more difficult to qualify since there are only two slots available but I still believe that appearance 22 is still a big possibility.

1. GM Wesley So
2. GM Oliver Barbosa
3. GM Ino Sadorra
4. GM John Paul Gomez
5. GM Eugene Torre

Come Olympiad qualifying and actual competition time, eh historically AFGM's playing level rises to the occasion.