Filipinos lose bid for top 10 finish in Chennai chess Olympiad

THE Philippines fell to Hungary and Georgia in both genders and in similar 2.5-1.5 scores in the ninth round Sunday in the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

The losses all but virtually zapped the country’s hopes of a top 10 finish in both the men and women division. Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza and Woman International Master (WIM) Kylen Joy Mordido lost their matches on Boards 3 and 4 while WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda won on Board 2 and Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna salvaged a draw on Board 1.

The stinging loss sent the Filipinas, whose trip is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, reeling to a 17-nation tie for 31st place with 11 match points.

They need to win their last two games, including one against Southeast Asian rival Vietnam, for them to finish in the top 20.

Frayna had a winning position against old conqueror GM Hoang Thanh Trang and Mendoza scrambled to turn an inferior position and a pawn deficit into a drawn endgame.

Frayna and Mendoza threw away the opportunities with Frayna ending up with a draw and Mendoza absorbing a heartbreaking setback.

The men’s contest saw IM Paulo Bersamina losing to GM Levan Pantsulaia on Board 4 while GMS Mark Paragua, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo all carving out fighting draws on the first three boards.

It sent the Filipinos to a tie for 58th place with 23 other countries with 10 points but they could move up from there if they beat the lowerranked Guatemalans in the 10th and penultimate round on Monday.