PH women's chess team gives foes world-class fight at 43rd Batumi Chess Olympiad
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 29 Sep 2018
WOMAN Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza (Elo 2113) and Woman International Master Bernadette Galas (2080) gave their rivals a world-class fight in the fifth round of the ongoing 43rd Chess Olympiad late Friday at the Sports Place in Batumi, Georgia.
Mendoza, a mainstay of the star-studded Far Eastern University chess team toppled Woman Fide Master Louise Head (2161) in 35 moves of Slav defense on board three while Galas, a former top player of UAAP champion De La Salle University chess team, smashed Woman International Master Sue Maroroa (2112) in 43 moves of English Opening on board four.
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna (2287), playing black, bowed to International Master Jovanka Houska (2402) in 56 moves of King's Indian Attack on board one while Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito (2157) yielded to Fide Master Akshaya Kalaiyalahan (2253) in 68 moves of King's Indian defense on board two.
The loss led to a 2-2 deadlock between the 43rd seed Philippines and the 25th seed England.
The country's female squad, whose team captain is Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales, has tallied seven match points on account of 13 game points, and climbed at 31st place.
The Filipinas, playing under the guidance of NCFP Chairman/ President Deputy Speaker Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Ng Tolentino Jr., will next face 15th ranked Spain, who blanked 45th ranked Brazil, 4-0.
In the men's division, the Philippines suffered its third loss, a 1.5-2.5 defeat at the hands of No. 102 seed Lebanon, and dropped at 101st place.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (2464) succumbed to Fide Master Amro El Jawich (2276) in 29 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening while Fide Master Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza (2360) lost to untitled Mahdi Al Kaoury (2106) in 33 moves of English Opening on board four.
Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra (2553) halved the point with International Master Fadi Eid (2328) in 84 moves of King's Indian defense on board one while International Master Haridas Pascua (2435) defeated Candidate Master Maroun Tomb (2177) in 57 moves of King's Indian defense on board three.
The men's team squad, whose team captain is Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre has four match points on account of 10.5 points, will next meet 151st seed Jersey, who blasted 178 seed Burundi, 4-0.
Meanwhile, top seed United States settled for a 2-2 standoff against 10th seed Israel.
World Championships challenger Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana (2827) delivered the crucial win for the United States after beating Grandmaster Boris Gelfand (2703) on board one.
Grandmaster Wesley So (2776) and Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura (2763) claiming draws on boards 2 and 3, respectively against Grandmaster Maxim Rodshtein (2674) and Grandmaster Tamir Nabaty (2692).
However, Grandmaster Samuel Shankland (2722) dropped his match with Grandmaster Emil Sutovsky (2633) on board four. (Marlon Bernardino).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025KEYSHAWN DAVIS RETURNS ON THE RING 6 UNDERCARD AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Sun, 28 Dec 2025IM Datu captures 4th IIEE Chess SIKAT, Jeremy Marticio repeat champ for 5th mini-tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 27 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS INOUE AND PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 26 Dec 2025THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025