Team Phils off to a good start in Chess Olympiad
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Aug 2012
Manila (PNA) -- The Philippine men?s and women? teams opened their campaigns on a bright note by shutting out their respective opponents at the start of 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad late Tuesday at the WOW Convention Center in Istanbul, Turkey.
The No.35th seed Philippine men's team blasted No.112 Libya , 4-0, the same whitewashing the57th ranked women?s side dealt No.121 Pakistan.
Grandmaster Wesley So used his superior ELO rating 2652 to annihilate Elarbi Abobker (2259) in 48 moves of Caro kann defense on board 1, while fellow GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) nipped FM Al-Zayat Ahmed (1977) in a slightly easier 42-mover of a 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) completed the opening day route on board 4 by nipping Asabri Hussan (2179) in 30 moves of English Opening.
The still grieving GM Eugene Torre, the first Filipino and Asian Grandmaster did not see action in deference to his mother Dona Vicenta Torre?s death.
Woman International Master Catherine Perena (2091) led the Filipina?s onslaught in the distaff side by crushing unrated Wasif Zenubia on board 1, a win duplicated by FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose (2061) over Siddiqui Nida Mishraz (1670) on board 2, WNM Jannelle Mae Frayna (1991) over Khuaja Ghazala Shabbir on board 3 and National Master Jedara Docena (2061) at the expense of Khuaja Fatima Shabbir on board 4.
In the Wednesday's second round, PH?s men's team will face No.23 Moldova which overwhelmed No.100 Pakistan, 4-0, while the women's team plays opposite No.16 Slovenia which brought downed No.78 Uruguay, 4-0.
"Good start. Naakaroon na nang momentum after the first round victory," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.in Manaila, who will join NCFP Secretary-General Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. in flying to Istanbul on September 2 to give moral support to the teams.
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.
The Filipino masters are bidding to rebound from its worst-ever 50th place finish the last time around,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.
(The author now writes for the People's Journal and People's Tonight)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
Sun, 24 Aug 2025Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
Sun, 24 Aug 2025Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Aug 2025GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Aug 2025AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 22 Aug 2025UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
Fri, 22 Aug 2025COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025