Chess Olympiad: PH Women's Team Beats Slovenia; Men's Team Bows to Greece
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 07 Aug 2022
The Philippines relied on Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna as it repulsed a higher-rated Slovenia, 2.5-1.5, in the eighth round Saturday night to boost its chances in the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.
Frayna turned what appeared to be a drawish endgame against International Master Laura Unuk into a 66-move win of their English duel after the latter blundered in deep time pressure on board one.
It was all the Filipinas needed to slay the mighty Slovenians and propel the former into a 10-nation tie at 17th spot with 11 match points.
WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda delivered the other win over WIM Zala Urh on second board while WIM Kylen Joy Mordido split the point with WIM Teja Vidic on the fourth and last board to complete the stunning result.
The GM Jayson Gonzales-coached team, which was being backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, was facing a powerhouse Hungary squad in the ninth round at press time hoping for another upset win.
Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza was reinserted into the line up in San Diego’s place.
The men’s team, for its part, tried but failed to pull off another upset victory against the fancied Greeks in a 2.5-1.5 loss that was sealed by GM Banjo Barcenilla’s stinging setback to GM Nikolaos Theodorou on board two.
GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez and IM Paulo Bersamina all drew their games on boards one, three and four, respectively.
It pushed Filipinos into a 22-nation logjam at 35th with 10 points and were squaring off with higher-ranked Georgia in the ninth round in this 11-round, 12-day biennial meet.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025