PH blanks Kazakhstan in 3rd rd of chess Olympiad
THE Philippines scored another rousing victory with a stunning 4-0 conquest of No. 40 Kazakhstan late Thursday to keep its share of the lead in the Open division of the 40th FIDE World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
GM Mark Paragua (2508) sacrificed his knight in the a-file then launched a powerful attack to beat GM Petr Kostenko (2494) after 28 moves of Caro-Kann defense on Board Three.
Then GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) played a true warrior in a complication game to topple GM Anuar Ismagambetov (2471) after 61 moves of Queens Indian defense on Board Two.
GM candidate Oliver Dimakiling (ELO 2428), the first person in the winning position drubbed IM Kiril Kuderinov (2484) after 38 moves of Reti Opening on Board Four while GM Wesley So (2652), the last Filipino playing in the group, completed the rout with a 63-move win over GM Rinat Jumabayev (2525).
The Philippine men’s team seeded 35th, has six match points to share 1st to 13th places along with Armenia, No. 1 Russia, USA, India, China, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, England, Ukraine, Poland and Hungrary.
The Pinoys also have 10.5 points in game points.
The country opened its campaign with a 4-0 blasting of No. 112 Libya last Tuesday then shocked No. 23 Moldova, 2.5-1.5, in Wednesday’s second round.
The Pinoys will next face No. 3 Armenia, which downed No. 18 Spain, 2.5-1.5 in their third round match.
PINAYS DUMP TURKMENISTAN
National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. is confident that the Filipino woodpushers will give the Armenians a good fight.
“Inaasahan kong magiging madugo ang bakbakan ng men’s team natin sa Armenia,” said Pichay, who monitors the matches through the internet.
Meanwhile, birthday girl WIM Catherine Perena (2091) shocked WFM Bahar Hallaeva (2174) after 37 moves of Nimzo Indian defense on Board 1 as the 57th seed Filipinas beat No. 58 Turkmenistan, 3-1.
WNM Janelle Mae Frayna (1991) nipped Aknur Isaeva (2011) after 39 moves of King’s Indian defense on Board 2 while WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda (2022) waylaid Ogulgerek Atabaeva (1917) after 50 moves of Sicilian defense on Board 4.
WNM Jedara Docena (2061) failed to convert her winning game and bowed to WFM Gozel Atabaeva (2076) after 56 moves of closed Sicilian defense on Board 3.
The women’s team has four match points for 23rd place. The Pinays will next face No. 60 Mexico, which beat No. 75 IPCA, 3-1.
