Pacquiao congratulates new FIDE chief, seeks reforms in PH chess

Manila Times - Sep 27, 2026

Former senator and chess enthusiast Manny Pacquiao took time to congratulate newly elected FIDE president Timur Turlov of Kazakhstan on Sunday.  Simultaneously, Pacquiao is pushing for the creation of a group that will usher in the new era in Philippine chess  Turlov's ascension to the top post as FIDE's eighth president has been viewed by Pacquiao as a welcome sign for change and development throughout the world, including the Philippines.  "The new FIDE leadership should bring brighter days for chess and I congratulate (FIDE) president Turlov. It's time to unite, gather around him, and support the sport," said Pacquaio, the only eight-weight division world boxing champion.  Pacquiao recently announced that he declined the vice president post handed to him on a silver platter by the NCFP, the local Philippine federation headed by long-standing president Prospero Pichay Jr.  Pacquiao, who plays chess with passion and regularity, has offered huge amounts of cash prizes for his annual international chess tournaments.  This year, Pacquiao said the NCFP received his money, hoping that the local chess body would sanction his tournament and have it FIDE rated.  The NCFP, however, allegedly tried to dictate terms and assign its own people to run the show for the Pacquiao chess tournament, bringing in arbiters from Manila instead of the...

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