ISUSULONG ng Kasparov Chess Foundation Asia-Pacific (KCFAP) ang dalawang makabuluhang programa para palakasin ang grassroots chess development sa bansa sa Alphaland City Center sa Makati City.
Magkakasukatan ng husay at diskarte ang kabataang Pinoy sa gaganaping Young Talents Rapid Chess Championships para sa lalaki at babae sa Under 8 years old, U10, U12, U14 at U18 sa Marso 26.
Ilalarga naman ang Chess in Education (CIE) Training for Teachers seminar sa Marso 27.
“We are glad to partner with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Department of Education and Alphaland Corporation in our initiatives highlighting the 15th anniversary celebration of Kasparov Chess Foundation,” pahayag ni KCFAP Director at dating FIDE Secretary General Ignatius Leong.
“We are working out the visit in October of the great chess champion Garry Kasparov, acclaimed as one of the 100 modern day geniuses along with Bill Gates, to inspire kids to take up the sport of chess and if they are already into it to work hard to improve their craft,” aniya.
Iginiit naman ni NCFP president Butch Pichay na tapik sa balikat sa local chess community ang naturang programa.
“The staging of the championships for young talents and the seminar for teachers and local instructors is KCF’s recognition that the Filipino has got what takes to be world beater. Just look at Wesley So, he’s now No. 2 in the world,” sambit ni Pichay.
Inimbitahan bilang key speaker sa opening ceremony si KCF president at FIDE senior Trainer Michael Khodarkovsky, at makakasama niya sa pagbibigay ng kaalaman sa seminar si Peter Long, KCFAP Projects Director.
May nakalaang $250, $150 at $100 dagdag na allowance sa mga player na kabilang sa 2017 ASEAN Age-Group Championships sa Malaysia sakaling mapabilang sa top 10.
Ayon kay Red Dumuk, KCFPA director for Philippines at head organizer, may kabuuang 1,000 ang inaasahang lalahok sa torneo, habang may 200 ang dadalo sa seminar. May entry fee na P100 sa torneo, habang ang registration fee sa seminar ay P1,000 kasama na ang handouts sa training at pagkain.