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.
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