MANILA, Philippines — Chess, in whatever form, is a great equalizer.
And so said American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who bedazzled Filipino fans on the first of the two-day WR Bughouse Championship at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC, Taguig.
“It’s a great passion of mine to help popularize chess in the world, that’s why I came here,” said Nakamura, the planet’s second highest rated chesser next only to former world champion Magnus Carlsen, during yesterday’s media briefing.
“I see young and old and even accomplished players like Asia’s first Gradmaster Eugene Torre and at the end of the day, the one thing that bonds us together is our great love of chess,” he added.
And the country just can’t get enough of Nakamura, who amiably agreed to sign autographs and pose for pictures for hundreds of fans.
“It’s seldom you get to see a No. 2 player in the world in person so I’m happy to get that chance myself,” said Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna.
For Wadim Rosenstein, anyone can beat anyone in Bughouse.
“I’m better in bughouse than in chess and here we can all beat Grandmasters even Magnus Carlsen,” he said.
A total of 75 teams of two from 22 countries signed up for the event organized by Wadim Rosenstein, founder of the organizing WR Chess who shelled out the total cash pot of $100,000 or P6.1 million.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines board of directors headed by Butch Pichay, Neri Colminares and Koko Pimentel also graced the event along with Torre himself. TMT
