Sadorra strikes again but Philippines falls vs Armenia

BUDAPEST – The Philippines couldn’t cash in on an early victory by Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra over super GM Haik Martirosyan as it fell to former titlist Armenia, 2.5-1.5, and out of the Top 10 after the sixth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here Monday.

A day after essaying the biggest victory of his life over super GM Vladimir Fedoseev in the Philippines’ shock 2.5-1.5 slaying of Slovenia, Sadorra was nothing short of electric again as he sent his Armenian rival to his knees with a sweet, methodical 63-move win of a Nimzo-Indian on top board.

That put the Filipinos 1-0 ahead and their chances looking bright as GM-elect Daniel Quizon, International Master Paulo Bersamina and GM John Paul Gomez appeared headed to draws with their positions locked.

But Quizon and Gomez succumbed to nerves and couldn’t hang on to it and suffered excruciating defeats to GMs Shant Sargsyan and Robert Hovhannisyan on boards two and four, respectively, while Bersamina failed to convert his pawn edge into a full point and drew with GM Gabriel Sargissian on board three.