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:
Clarion to fight for WBC Youth World super flyweight title in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Jun 20262026 NBA Finals: Knicks Steal Game 1 in San Antonio 105-95
By Reylan Loberternos, Thu, 04 Jun 2026LAMONT “THE REAPER” ROACH JR. AND WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA TO BATTLE FOR THE WBC LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Ramirez vs. Richards - Weigh In Results
Thu, 04 Jun 2026Louisville and Boxing World commemorated 10th Anniversary of Muhammad Ali death
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 04 Jun 2026Sampson Lewkowicz: Boxing’s Picasso
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 03 Jun 2026BARRY HEARN OBE TO FUND 10 BRAND NEW APPRENTICESHIP ROLES THANKS TO MATCHROOM CHARITABLE FOUNDATION AND COACH CORE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Olongapo to host National Age Group Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 03 Jun 2026JOSEPH "JOJO" DIAZ EAGER TO REVIVE CAREER AHEAD OF JUNE 19 SHOWDOWN WITH "H2O" SYLVE
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Charly Suarez is my idol - Jhon Lowie Lastimosa
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Josh “The Hammer” Popper: From Holy Spirit to a Heavyweight Headline at the Tropicana
Wed, 03 Jun 2026600 athletes expected in 11th Asia-Oceania Sambo tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Jun 2026Dagestan rivalry set to ignite Moscow: Khalidov and Yallyev clash on stacked IBA PRO 19 card
Wed, 03 Jun 2026Deep Waters rules inaugural WR Bughouse Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 02 Jun 2026HE TURKI ALALSHIKH: 'AJ vs PRENGA IN JEDDAH REINFORCES SAUDI ARABIA'S POSITION AS DESTINATION FOR WORLD'S LEADING EVENTS'
Tue, 02 Jun 2026