WITH the latest development of the Palau top players participation in the Dresden, Germany World Chess Olympiad, it has to be reduced dramatically due to financial constraints.
The collaboration of Jan Berglund and Oceania Zone President Gary Bekker of Australia to get some funding for the players is still not enough to send 5 players to the Olympiad.
Mr. Bekker suggested to have players who played somehow in Palau and are residing in place closer to Europe to be back up players. But they have to shoulder their own airfares.
One option is to borrow the prize fund of $1,000.00 from the 3rd Palau Invitational Chess Championship (The Ambassador Marino Cup) and chip-in together the $500.00 that the Palau Chess Federation has set aside for yearly membership fee to FIDE, and the $200.00 that Roberto Hernandez has pledged, then there would be almost enough to finance at least one ticket for him.
If Mr. Berglund will be playing and he will find 2 others (from Palau or from any other part of the world), then there will be a participating team for Palau.
Four people and no substitute is a common solution when federations are lacking funds.
A minimum of 2 people can be fielded by a country but that means they'll never win a match, a 2-2 draw would be the maximum.
Minimum of 3 players could be OK and if one gets sick, the team can still play with 2 players for a round or two, not having to forfeit.
Hernandez forwarded Mr. Berglund's email to 29 individuals and only Antonio Aladino Diez, the 3rd placer in the 2nd Palau Invitational Chess Championship responded quickly.
He was instructed to contact the German Embassy in Manila. And to apply for Schengen visa and other things related to travel in Europe.
He has to shoulder his own airfares and extra accommodation costs if he arrive one or 2 days early or depart late.
He is also asked to inquire of the cheapest ticket he can get hold of from Manila.
His son, Boris Michael Diez and Palau no. 1 player Menandro Manuel won the tourney in Sept. last year.
He specified before that he and his son are willing to represent Palau in the Olympiad if given the opportunity. His son is not available for this Olympiad.
The deadline for Palau to change the line-up of players is in the middle of this week, a special request granted by Mr. Ignatius Leong.
Hernandez also forwarded an email of a Bulgarian who is also willing to represent Palau in the Olympiad.
Mr. Berglund don't know him as his record in the FIDE rating list is just his name and date of birth, 1971.
He will investigate more about him as he can save a lot because he is already in Europe.
This practice of getting players from anywhere is granted only to first time participating nation.
There is a rule that a player must reside in a country for 2 years before he can represent a country in Chess Olympiad.
Source: Chessmate by Roberto Hernandez
Tia Belau Newspaper
Pages 13 & 15
Volume 17
October 27-November 02, 2008
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