PHL CHESS SQUAD REBOUNDS, MELTS ICELAND, 3-1
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Sep 2012
Eugene Torre.
Manila -- THE 35th-seed Philippine chess team scored a 3-1 victory over 51st-seed Iceland in the fifth round of the 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad early Sunday morning (Manila Time) at the WOW Convention Center in Istanbul, Turkey.
GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) and GM Mark Paragua (2508) scored full-point wins for the Philippines which rebounded from a heart-breaking loss to third seed Armenia, 1.5-2.5, in the fourth round early Saturday morning (Manila Time).
The Taytay, Rizal native Barbosa defeated a known chess author GM Henrik Danielsen (2511) after 35 moves of Bogo-Indian defense by accumulating small advantages and finishing with good technique on board 2 while the Tondo, Manila born Paragua presented his opponent with practical difficulties in the opening, subtleties in the middlegame and awesome tactics even in the endgame outmaneuvered International Master Dagur Arngrimmson (2375) in their rook and pawn endgame that lasted 48 moves of Slav Defense on board 4 to complete the country?s fourth win in five rounds under the match point scoring system being used for only the third time in the Olympiad since 1927.
The match point scoring system awards two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss.
But GMs Wesley So (2652) and Eugene Torre (2469) drew with GMs Hannes Stefansson (2515) and Throstur Thorhallsson (2426) on boards 1 and 3, respectively.
So split the point with Stefansson after after 31 moves of Sicilian defense, Najdorf variation while the 60-year-old Torre, dubbed as ?The Ageless Warrior,? halved the point with Thorhallsson after 34 moves of Scotch Opening.
Over-all, the Filipinos notched eight points for a share of 5th to 21st place. They are 2 points behind tournament co-leaders top seed Russia and third seed Armenia which had 10 points each. Seventh-seed Azerbaijan and 19th-seed Croatia had 9 points each for a share of 3rd to 4th place.
The Pinoys will next meet 10th-seed Bulgaria. Grandmasters Veselin Topalov (2752) and Ivan Cheparinov (2681) struck with the white pieces to lift the Bulgaria past 71st-seed Peru, 2.5-1.5.
During the last Chess Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia two years ago, the nationals suffered a heart-breaking loss to Bulgaria, 1.5-2.5, with So split the point with Topalov on board one while Torre defeated IM Kiprian Berbatov on board four. GM John Paul Gomez lost to Cheparinov on board two while Laylo succumbed to GM Aleksander Delchev on board three.
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is expecting another battle royal between the Filipinos and Bulgarians in Sunday night tussle. ?I expect another tough night (Sunday) against Bulgaria just like last Saturday against Armenia," said Pichay, who watched the game live through the Internet back home in Manila. According to Pichay, he will field So, Barbosa, Paragua and Torre against the heavyweight Bulgarians.
In other results, Russia defeated fourth-seed Hungrary, 2.5-1.5, Armenia nipped second-seed and defending champion Ukraine, 2.5-1.5, Azerbaijan crushed 53rd-ssed Canada, 3.5-0.5, while Croatia edged eight-seed France, 2.5-1.5.
In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena (2091) and Woman National Master (2061) Jedara Docena stunned their more accomplished foes using the black pieces to secure the country?s 3-1 romp over South Africa.
Perena downed Woman Grandmaster Melissa Greef (2091) on board 1 while Docena toppled WIM Denise Frick (1896) on board 3.WNM Janelle Mae Frayna (1991) settled for a draw against WIM Cecile Van Der Merwe (2043) on board 2 while WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (2022) halved the point with Woman FIDE Master Tshepang Tlale (1782) on board 4. It was third consecutive match win by the women?s team and fourth in five rounds overall. The Phl?s women?s team jump to a share of 6th to 16th place with 11 others at eight points.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Feb 2026“It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 25 Feb 2026Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Feb 2026United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Wed, 25 Feb 2026Date set for Manny-Money 2
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 25 Feb 2026Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
Wed, 25 Feb 2026IM Yap outwits GM Gareyev, shares lead; Maribao split the point with GM Quizon in Round 3 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Feb 20262 Division World Champion José Luis Castillo Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 25 Feb 2026