CHESS OLYMPIAD: BARBOSA LIFTS PHL PAST BULGARIA; FACES HUNGARY IN ROUND 7
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 04 Sep 2012
Oliver Barbosa.
Round 7 pairings:
Board 1 Azerbaijan vs Russia
Board 2 China vs Armenia
Board 3: Philippines vs Hungary
Board 4: Ukraine vs Spain
Team Standings after round 6: (Open division, Match Points System)
11 points -- Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
10 points---China, Philippines, Ukraine, Hungary, Spain
Grandmaster Master (GM) Oliver Barbosa delivered the clincher as the 35th-seed Philippines nipped 10th-seed Bulgaria, 2.5-1.5, in one of the biggest upsets in the sixth round of the 40th World Chess Olympiad at the WOW Convention Center in Istanbul, Turkey, early Tuesday morning.
Handling the black pieces on board 2 against GM Kiril Georgiev (2682), Barbosa, who hold an Elo rating of 2554 and pride of Taytay, Rizal was scrambling with his two rooks and knight against Georgiev?s queen and bishop when the latter made a blunder on his 57th move in their Slav encounter. A couple of moves later, Georgiev resigned with Barbosa set to take his queen after a discover check.
The victory wouldn?t have been possible without the valiant stand of GMs Wesley So (2652), Eugene Torre (2469) and Mark Paragua (2508), who drew their respective matches against higher rated players.
So split the point with GM Veselin Topalov (2572) on board 1 after 48 moves of Nimzo-Indian Defense; Torre agreed to a draw opposite GM Ivan Cheparinov (2681) on board 3 after 47 moves of Pirc Defense; and Paragua halved the point with GM Alexander Delchev (2596) on board 4 after 32 moves of Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo variation.
It was the country?s fifth victory in six rounds, good for 10 match points and a share of fourth spot behind leaders Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and fourth round tormentor Armenia.
The three frontrunners have 11 match points. A team win is equal to two points while a draw is equal to one point.
"One of the biggest upset in chess Olympic history ... the Filipinos carved a name for themselves among the chess elite's ... history has been written today and forever will be remembered ... the Istanbul Olympiad's Tournament Revelation" said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., who watched the game live through internet back home here in Manila.
Also with 10 match points are defending champion Ukraine, China, Spain and seventh round opponent Hungary, which toppled Poland, 3-1, in the sixth round.
In other matches saw, Russia drew with Armenia, 2-2, Azerbaijan routed Croatia, 3-1, Germany halved the point with the United States, 2-2, Spain edged Czech Republic, 2.5-1.5, China smashed Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3.5-0.5, England drew with Italy, 2-2, Ukraine outclassed Montenegro, 3-1, India split the point with Israel, 2-2, and Moldova trounced Slovenia, 3.5-0.5.
In the women?s division, the No.57 Philippines was yielded to No. 14 seed France, 1-3, with Woman International Master Catherine Perena (2091) providing the lone win over IM Almira Skripchenko (2442) on board 1.
WNM Janelle Mae Frayna (1991) bowed to IM Milliet Sophie (2411) on board 2, WNM Jedara Docena (2061) lost to IM Silvia Collas (2261) on board 3 and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (2022) was beaten by WIM Andreea Bollengier (2253) on board four.
The Filipinos remains at 8 points into a share of 18th to 38th places. The women?s team will face No.52 Portugal, who brought downed No.61 South Africa, 2.5-1.5.
Meanwhile, defending champion Russia and Poland will slug it out for the solo leadership board in Tuesday's seventh round.
Russia drew with China, 2-2, while Poland dealt Serbia, 3.5-0.5.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Dec 2025A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
Wed, 03 Dec 2025OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Who was Clever Sison?
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 03 Dec 2025MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
Wed, 03 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
Wed, 03 Dec 2025Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Two Pacquiaos on same card?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 02 Dec 2025