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:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu
By Eric Armit, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran?
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 07 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN
Tue, 07 Apr 2026Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event
Tue, 07 Apr 2026Yokasta Valle vs Lourdes Juarez for WBC Female world championship?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 07 Apr 2026GM Joey Antonio ties for 10th in Canberra chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Canelo Expected to Return on September 15 in Riyadh
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 07 Apr 2026Ring Masters Championships 2026 Finals April 10 at Madison Square Garden
Tue, 07 Apr 2026Jeffrey de Luna keep the Philippines alive in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-ball World Championship in St. Louis, Missouri, USA
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 07 Apr 2026NOTHING BUT SPORTZ PRESENTS GAMBOA & RIGONDEAUX — MAY 2 IN MIAMI ONE NIGHT. SAME CARD. HAVANA HEAT
Mon, 06 Apr 2026Wilkens Mathieu Against Olympic Medallist Esquiva Falcao at the Théâtre Capitole of Quebec City on June 11!
Mon, 06 Apr 2026National Master Jasper Faeldonia rules Romblon chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 06 Apr 2026Twin wins for Pinoy boxers
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 05 Apr 2026