PH routs Kazakhstan, shares Chess Olympiad lead

THE Philippines continued its winning streak, blanking Kazakhstan, 4-0, in the third round of the 40th World Chess Olympiad late last night in Turkey.

GM Mark Paragua (2508) sacrificed his knight in the a-file and launched a powerful attack to beat GM Petr Kostenko (2494) after 28 moves of Caro-Kann defense in Board 3,while GM Oliver Barbosa (2554) toppled GM Anuar Ismagambetov (2471) in 61 moves of Queens Indian defense in Board 2. GM candidate Oliver Dimakiling (ELO 2428), the first person in the winning position, drubbed IM Kiril Kuderinov (2484) after 38 moves of Reti Opening in Board 4.

GM Wesley So (2652), the last Filipino playing in the group, crushed GM Rinat Jumabayev (2525) after 63 moves of Gruenfeld defense in their rook-and-pawn end game to complete the shut-out win.

The Philippines, seeded 35th, blasted No.112 Libya , 4-0, in Tuesday’s first round then edged No.23 Moldova, 2.5-1.5, in the second round. They will face third seed Armenia, which downed No.18 Spain, 2.1-1.5.

The team has six match points to share first to 13th places with Armenia, No.1 Russia, USA, India, China, Azerbaijan, Germany, France, England, Ukraine, Poland and Hungrary. The team also has 10.5 game points.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman Prospero Pichay Jr. is confident that the Filipino woodpushers will put up a good fight again against the former Russian Republic squad.

“Inaasahan ko na magiging madugo ang bakbakan ng men’s team natin sa No.3 seed Armenia.” said Pichay, who is watching the game through the Internet.