RP chessers storm to Top 20, rip Iranians

DRESDEN, Germany – GM Wesley So pulled off a stunning win over GM Elshan Moradiabadi while IM John Paul Gomez sustained his impressive form as the Philippines beat Iran, 2.5-1.5, to barge into the Top 20 in the World Chess Olympiad here Monday.

The 15-year-old So, the reigning Dubai Open champion, defended with precision despite an early positional setback then outplayed Moradiabadi to claim the victory after marathon 85 moves of the Slav.

The top Iranian GM tried to squeeze out a draw via repetition of moves but So, playing out of St. Francis College in Bacoor, Cavite, wisely thwarted Moradiabadi’s bid with precise moves under time pressure.

Gomez also continued his remarkable showing as he outplayed GM Amir Bagheri in 56 moves of the Ruy Lopez.

The 22-year-old Gomez launched a relentless kingside attack against the black-playing Bagheri and went on to post his third straight win against two draws in the tournament.

Gomez is also now the Filipinos’ leading scorer with four points out of a possible five.

GM Bong Villamayor, back after a one-day break, settled for a draw with GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami in 50 moves of the Catalan, while GM Darwin Laylo bowed to GM Morteza Mahjoob in 38 moves of the Scandinavian.

“We’re doing well considering the strong opposition here. I like our position right now with still six rounds left,” said RP non-playing team captain Eugene Torre.

Overall, the Filipinos have seven points, only two points behind top seed Russia, defending champion Armenia, Ukraine, England, Azerbaijan and host Germany under the matchpoint style scoring system being used for the first time since 1927.

Russia, led by GMs Vladimir Kramnik and Alexander Grischuk, drew with host Germany, 2-2.

Armenia edged Netherlands, 2.5-1.5, on the third-board victory of GM Gabriel Sargissian over GM Daniel Stellwagen.

Ukraine humbled Hungary, Azerbaijan bested Norway and England outplayed Italy in other featured matches in the men’s division.

Ten countries, led by Turin Olympiad silver medalist China and Asian powerhouse India, shared seventh to 16th places with eight points.

China, bannered by Gms Wangn Yue and Bu Xiangzhi, nipped Scotland, 2.5-1.5, while India, led by Gms Krishnan Sasikiran and P. Harikrishna, crushed Austria, 3-1.

The RP men’s team faces Spain in the sixth round.

In women’s play, the Philippines bounced back with a 3.5-0.5 rout of New Zealand to make it double-celebration for the RP bets.

Daisy Rivera, Cheradee Chardine Camacho and Christy Lamiel Bernales hurdled their respective matches to clinch the Filipinas’ second win in five matches.

Rivera trounced WFM Sue Maroroa in 67 moves of the Sicilian Najdorf, Camacho checkmated Judy Gao in only 14 moves of the Caro Kann and Bernales overwhelmed WCM Vivian Smith in 30 moves of the French Exchange variation.

Shercila Cua, playing the top board in place of Catherine Perena, halved the point with WFM Helen Milligan in 40 moves of the Catalan.

The Filipinas now have five points on two wins, one draw and two losses.

They also defeated Yemen, 3.5-.5, drew with Lithuania, 2-2, and lost to Greece, 1-3, and Belarus, 0.5-3.5.

They will battle the GM Pia Cramling-led Sweden in the next round.

China, bannered by WGM Hou Yifan andd GM Zhao Xue, leads the way in the women’s division with a perfect scoe of 10 points.

Hungary, led by GM Hoang Thanh Trang and Ildiko Madl, is second with nine points.

The tournament takes the first of two rest days on Tuesday before returning to action with the sixth round starting at 8 p.m. Tuesday (10 p.m., Manila time).