RP chessers close out bid versus Latvia

The Philippines closes out its campaign in the 34th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey against Latvia, hoping to draw the best from its best players and sustain what had been an impressive performance in the two-week long event.

GMs Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Bong Villamayor see action along with NM Idelfonso Datu against the Latvians, whom they are tied with for 23rd place along with five others with a final round victory expected to thrust them into a top 15 finish.

The Philippines totes 29.5 points, 6.5 points behind the powerhouse Russian squad which is expected to run away with the crown again against Georgia.

The Filipinos, their bid for a decent campaign stymied by a 1-3 loss to Georgia in the 12th round, vented their ire on the Argentines, whom they clobbered, 3-1, Friday, to revive its hopes for an impressive finish after so-so stints in the last two Olympiads.

GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Buenaventura Villamayor outclassed their respective rivals to set the tone for the Argentina rout, while Torre and Datu drew with their respective rivals for the big win that prompted Torre to keep the lineup for the final game.