Update: I usually do not reveal that it is an April fools day joke until the end of the day. However, because I have received countless inquiries about this “news”, I have decided to let the cat out of the bag early 🙂 Nobody is going anywhere. The entire team stays the same and it will get even stronger next year with the addition of super GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam. Happy April 1st!
Big shakeups with the Webster University chess roster
By Webster University
www.webster.edu
April 1, 2013
Following the College Chess Final Four in Rockville, MD on April 6-7, and the U.S. Championship in early May in St. Louis, the top American born player and Webster University freshman GM Ray Robson (2618) will switch federation to Myanmar.
Webster University team Head Coach GM Susan Polgar said that the decision is quite logical since both of Robson’s parents are living and working in Myanmar. He wants to be closer to where his family is. He will also play board 1 for Myanmar in the Tromsø Olympiad.
“I wish Ray the best. It will be a big loss for Webster University but he has to do what’s best for him and his family.” said Polgar.
But all is not lost for the United States. Robson’s roommate and teammate GM Wesley So (2701), another freshman at Webster University, has decided to switch to U.S. federation from the Philippines.
Polgar also said that this is a logical decision since St. Louis is the capital of chess in America and So plans to stay here after graduation.
According the rules, as a college student, So is eligible to play in the 2014 U.S. Championship and represents team USA in the next Olympiad in Tromsø, Norway. He is expected to play board 3 behind Nakamura and Kamsky.
Another Webster University freshman, GM Fidel Corrales Jimenez (2601) of Cuba, will also switch to US federation. It is unclear if his rating is high enough to qualify for the next Olympiad. However, he should be a shoe in for the US Championship in 2014.
Stay tuned for additional updates.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Nice to know that the US will pay 50,000 euros for these guys to switch federations.
April Fool’s Joke?? 🙂
thATs unfair to the philippines!!!WESLEY SO could not achieve without the NFCP! and now he’s now a hydra 2700 rated and he will now switch to other federation?you forgot where you came from!
Wesley should do what is best for him
Nice april fools joke! 🙂
Hahaha april fools day!
It fools day! Lol
Happy April ‘fools’ day !!!
It is more like 3,500 euros because they have lived in the US for over 13 months.
easy boys, today is April 1…
APRIL 1st!!!!!!!!
Wesley’s kibitz club thinks this is an April Fools joke by Susan. Hope it is.
Good thing the date today is April 1.
Heard that Nakamura will play for Japan and Kamsky will return to Russia. Well, you win some, you lose some. Time to get Caruana back. And maybe endorsement contracts can lure Carlsen to Hollywood.
Philippines chess sucks! you cant even see their country in the FIDE ratings. GM So will be a big boost to Team USA.
Not quite sure whether this announcement has something to do with the date.
and today is april 1 ! 🙂 – pedro S
April Fool’s day. This can’t happen suddenly. 🙂
wesley so will have a better future in america that will be a good decision even arianne caoli has change her federation bec nobody supports her in the philippines they put all the money in their own pocket
You got me there! Happy April Fools day! Same story here the other day-Manny Pacquaio retires- only to know that he has a fight on September.
Its really very amusing post. Thanks for sharing all the updates and breaking news
OMG!! It is very nice post. Thanks for sharing with us…breaking news online