It is with heavy hearts that we, the Sri Lankan Chess community, mourn the passing of Casto Abundo, Executive Director of the Asian Chess Federation. His death marks the end of an era for chess in Asia and around the world.
Casto Abundo dedicated more than fifty years of his life to the service of chess. He became an International Arbiter in 1978 and served as FIDE Secretary from 1988 to 1990, working alongside President Florencio Campomanes during a crucial period for international chess. His organizational skills were exceptional, and he served as director and Chief Arbiter at some of the world’s most important chess events, including the 1992 Chess Olympiad in Manila, the 2000 World Championship, and the 2001 World Cup.
From 2006 to 2014, he served as Vice-President of the Asian Chess Federation, and later became its Executive Director. In this role, he worked tirelessly to strengthen chess across Asia. He created programs and systems that helped national federations work together better. His vision and leadership helped build a strong foundation for the growth of chess in our continent.
What made Casto Abundo special was not just his technical knowledge, but his human touch. He had a rare gift for bringing people together and uniting national chess federations from different countries. Many chess officials across Asia considered him not just a colleague, but a friend and mentor. Those who knew him remember his dedication and warmth. He once jokingly described his time at FIDE as working “25 hours a day, eight days a week.” His professional excellence was matched by his ability to mentor young arbiters, always making time to share his knowledge with the next generation.
We, the Sri Lankan Chess community, stand together with the Asian Chess Federation and FIDE in mourning this great loss. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his family, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time. As a community, we are exploring ways to honor Mr. Abundo’s memory and support his family.
We also commit ourselves to continuing the work that Mr. Abundo championed – promoting fair play, building bridges between nations, and developing chess at all levels. This is the best way we can honor his memory. The chess world has lost a true giant, but his spirit will live on through the countless people he mentored, the systems he created, and the bridges he built between nations. Rest in peace, Mr. Abundo. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of chess players and organizers across Asia and the world.
