ONE of the Philippines’ most promising young talents is on the hunt to become the country’s youngest FIDE national arbiter as he participates in the 2018 Philippine National Games chess competition at the Robinsons Galleria, Cebu.
Jerel John Velarde, 17, is looking to follow the footsteps of international arbiter and Singapore-based Lincoln Yap.
“One of my goals is to be a part of arbiter team in the World Stage such as World Cadet, World Youth and World Chess Olympiad as well,” said Velarde, the former top chess player of Marigondon National High School in Lapu-Lapu City.
It can be recalled that Jerel, brother of Philippine chess wizard and chess champion Jerish John Velarde, topped the exam together with veteran campaigner Odilon Badilles and associate professor Gamaliel Gonzales of Cebu Technological University.
They scored 35 out of a possible 40 when Dubai-based international arbiter/international organizer Casto “Toti” Abundo conducted a two-day Fide arbiter seminar held at the University of San Carlos main campus last May 2017.
“I give my all-out support to my child on his chosen sport. Personally I like him playing chess but his passion and love is organizing a chess event,” said engineer John Velarde, a FIDE (World Chess Federation) national arbiter-elect.