Phl chessers stop Bolivians, seek Top 20

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines shut out Bolivia, 4-0, Tuesday to gain a crack at a top 20 finish going into the 11th and final round of the 41st Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and John Paul Gomez, IM Paulo Bersamina and GM Jayson Gonzales trounced GM Oswaldo Zambrana, IM Jose Daniel Gemy, IM Jonny Cueto and Javier Monroy, respectively, as the Filipinos improved with 12 points to share 38th with 19 others.

But the women’s team lost to 25th seed Latvia, 1-3, as Chardine Cheradee Camacho and Catherine Perena bowed to WGM Dana Reizniece Ozola and WIM Katrina Skinke on first and fourth boards, respectively.

Janelle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda held WGMs Laura Rogule and Ilze Berzina to a pair of draws, respectively, for the lone point that dropped the Phl ladies squad to joint 42nd with 11 points.

The Filipinas close out their campaign against Belgium Thursday.

Gomez capped the emphatic win for the Filipinos by eking out a 78-move victory out of a drawish position in a Queen’s Pawn duel over Gemy.

The biennial tournament took its last break Wednesday the Phl men’s team facing 37th seed Canada where it needs another sweep to make it to the top 20.

Jayson Gonzales, also the NCFP executive director and skipper of the two teams, has produced 2.5 points in three games, including an impressive 43-move win over Monroy in their Catalan duel. – JV