PH stuns Norway at Chess Olympiad; Pinay chessers missed golden opportunity to finish in top 10
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 Aug 2022
MANILA---THE Philippines relied on the heroics of International Master (IM) Paulo Bersamina as it shocked Norway, 2.5-1.5, in the eleventh and final round Tuesday at the conclusion of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.
Bersamina, playing black, defeated Grandmaster (GM) Frode Olav Olsen Urkedal in 37 moves of Gruenfeld defense on board four to snatch the upset win against the 3rd ranked Norwegians and finished in the top 30.
Norway played without their regular board 1 & world champ Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen against 52nd seeded Philippines.
Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua split the points with Grandmaster (GM) Aryan Tari on board one, Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez halving the point with Grandmaster (GM) Jon Ludvig Hammer on board two while Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo drew with Grandmaster (GM) Johan-Sebastian Christiansen on board three.
The 39th seed Filipinas, for their part, yielded to 14th seed Cuba, 1.5-2.5, after Woman International Master (WIM) Jan Jodilyn Fronda lost to Woman International Master (WIM) Yerisbel Miranda Llanes in 23 moves of Slav defense on board two and missed the golden opportunity to finished in the top 10.
Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna, Woman International Master (WIM) Marie Antoinette San Diego and Woman International Master (WIM) Kylene Joy Mordido ended their game in fighting draws against International Master (IM) Lisandra Teresa Ordaz Valdes, Woman Grandmaster (WGM) , Maritza Arribas Robaina and Woman International Master (WIM) Yaniela Forgas Moreno on board one, three and four, respectively.
Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre was the coach of the men's team while NCFP chief executive officer Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales was the coach of the women's team backed up by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee through the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's chairman/president Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
Other member of the PH chess team are Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. and Woman Fide Master (WFM) Shania Mae Mendoza.-Marlon Bernardino-
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