RP keeps streak, beats Uruguay in Chess Olympiad
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 09/26/2010 2:47 PM Updated as of 09/26/2010 2:47 PM
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is still on a winning streak with another victory over Uruguay, 3-1, in the 5th round of the 39th World Chess Olympiad at the Complex “Arena Ugra” of Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia late Saturday.
Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So, the country’s highest-rated player with an ELO of 2668 and Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre (ELO 2489) provided the twin draws for the Nationals, while teammates GM John Paul Gomez (ELO 2527) and International Master (IM) Richard Bitoon (ELO 2447) posted convincing victories.
So split the point with GM Andres Rodriguez Vila (ELO 2537), after 52 moves of Trompovsky Opening on board one, while Torre settled a truce with IM Bernardo Roselli Mailhe (ELO 2399) after 26 moves of Bogo-Indian defense on board three.
Gomez, on the other hand crushed Fide Master Manuel Larrea after 33 moves of King’s Indian defense on board two, while Bitoon outclassed Alvaro Guerrero (ELO 2270) after 43 moves of Caro-Kann defense on board four.
The Nationals will meet Belarus in the 6th round.
The RP chess players blanked Korea, 4-0, in the first round but lost to Spain, 1.5-2.5, in the second round. They bounced back by settling a draw against Scotland, 2-2, in the third round then edged Paraguay, 2.5-1.5, in the fourth round.
“I hope magpatuloy ang kanilang (RP chess team) winning streak,” said Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., president/chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). Pichay is scheduled to leave this week for Russia to give support to the RP Chess team.
In the women’s play, the Filipinas settled a 2-2 standoff against Argentina.
Chardine Cheradee Camacho (ELO 2186) defeated IM Carolina Lujan (ELO 2312) after 66 moves of Sicilian defense on board one and Shercila Cua (ELO 2099) halved the point with WGM Claudia Amura (ELO 2329) after 66 moves of English Opening on board 2.
Rulp Ylem Jose (ELO 2039) settled a truce with Woman International Master (WIM) Marisa Zuriel (ELO 2193) after 87 moves of King’s Indian defense on board 3, while Jedara Docena (ELO 2033) yielded to Maria Florencia Fernandez (ELO 2119) after 50 moves of Slaf defense on board 4.
The Pinays will play against the Mexicans in Round 6. – by Marlon Bernardino
RP will win Bronze for sure. Torre will make a big come back to lead them.
i have high expectation to the young team of Philippines. Hopefully, Torre can give them the high spirit to compete with some of the best chess players in the world.
Wesley So will give us the needed wins to put the Philippines at least to the top 10 or 20.