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:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
By Chris Carlson, Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN"
Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 11 Feb 2026