Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Philippines chess team off to a good start

By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Aug 2012



AS expected Philippines men's and women's chess team scored shutout victories at the start of 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad late Tuesday at the WOW Convention Center in Istanbul, Turkey.

The No. 35 seed Philippine men's team blasted No. 112 Libya, 4-0, while the No. 57 Philippine women's team subdued No. 121 Pakistan, 4-0.

GM Wesley So (ELO 2652) beat Elarbi Abobker (2259) after 48 moves of Caro kann defense on board 1, GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) nipped FM Al-Zayat Ahmed (1977) after 42 moves of Queens Pawn Game on board 2, GM Mark Paragua (2508) waylaid FM Asabri Hussien (2211) after 30 moves of King's Indian defense on board 3 and GM candidate Oliver Dimakiling (2428) nipped Asabri Hussan (2179) after 30 moves of English Opening on board 4 to complete a shut-out victory in the first round.

In the distaff side, WIM Catherine Perena (2091) crushed Wasif Zenubia (unrated) on board 1, WFM Rulp Ylem Jose (2061) outclassed Siddiqui Nida Mishraz (1670) on board 2, WNM Jannelle Mae Frayna (1991) whacked Khuaja Ghazala Shabbir (unrated) on board 3 andWNM Jedara Docena (2061) routed Khuaja Fatima Shabbir (unrated) on board 4.

In the Wednesday's second round, men's team will face No.23 Moldova who white-washed No. 100 Pakistan, 4-0, while the women's team opposite No.16 Slovenia who brought downed No.78 Uruguay, 4-0.

"So far, so good. Y'ung mga manlalaro natin naglaro sa 1st round ang isasalang din natin sa 2nd round. Nandun y'ung momentum," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. who will join NCFP Secretary-General Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. to go to Istanbul on September 2 to give moral support for the Philippines chess team backed up by PSC and POC.

"Inaasahan natin na magiging madugo ang laban sa 2nd round, both sa men's at women's team natin," added Tolentino.

Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre who is in a grieving mood after his mother passed away in the eve of his departure is rested in the first two round.

So, Barbosa, Paragua and Dimakiling will play GM Viktor Bologan (2734), GM Dmitry Svetushkin (2569), IM Serghei Vedmediuc (2468) and IM Iulian Baltag (2396), respectively.
In the women's play, Perena, Jose, Frayna and Docena will meet GM Anna Muzychuk (2606), WGM Vesna Rozic (2260), WIM Jana Krivec (2240) and WGM Ana Srebrnic (2211), in order.

Team Philippines men's team is bidding to rebound from its worst-ever 50th place finish while the women's team is aiming to improve on its 44th place windup in the 2010 Olympiad held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales is the head coach of the nationals.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.

Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated, 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 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Weights From Washington, PA
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • June 8: Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida Bantamweight Unification Showdown Headlines Tokyo Super Card Streaming LIVE on ESPN+
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Thursday’s Action at the 2025 USA Boxing International Open Concludes
    Sat, 19 Apr 2025