The Philippine women’s team delivered a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory, Thursday night to remain unbeaten and on top in a heavy 44-nation logjam after two rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Woman National Master Mhage Gerriahlou Sebastian, Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza overpowered their respective foes on boards one, three and four while Woman International Master Ruelle "Taweng" Canino managed a draw against Manar Khalil on board two to keep the Filipinas in contention for a top 10 finish with four match points to show.
The result came a day after the Nationals waylaid the Malawians, 4-0, in the opening round but it is expected to be tougher from here on for the former.
“The field is getting harder and harder each round,” said national team coach and National Chess Federation secretary-general GM Jayson Gonzales.
Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster to date, has been unleashed after being rested in the first two rounds.
Frayna, who just came from a pair of two national titles in Malolos, Bulacan and Alicia, Isabela, will have her hands full though as she is expected to clash with International Master Szidonia Lazarne-Vajda on second board.
Sebastian will continue to handle the top board after showing excellent form in the first two rounds while Fronda was taking on International Master Davaademberel on board three and Mendoza clashing with Woman International Master Kata Karaksonyi on board four.
Not as lucky though was the men’s team, which succumbed to No. 7 Azerbaijan, 3-1.
International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia halved the point with Grandmasters Aydin Suleymanli and Eltaj Safarli on boards two and four, respectively, while International Master Michael Concio, Jr. and Grandmaster Daniel Quizon was beaten by GMs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Mahammad Muradli on boards one and three.
The Philippines, currently with two match points, was trying to bounce back as it was battling Tunisia at press time.-Marlon Bernardino-
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