Chessers eye Top 20 vs Canada

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines goes all-out against No. 37 Canada today, seeking the all-important victory for a possible Top 20 finish at the close of the 41st Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra, John Paul Gomez, Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales hope to finish off the country’s campaign in the biennial event on a winning note as they take on GM Anton Jovalyov, GM Eric Hansen, IM Leonid Gerzhoy and GM Bator Sambuev, respectively.

The Filipinos are in joint 38th with 12 points and could crash into the top 20 with a win over the Canadians.

The Filipinas, meanwhile, take Belgium with Chardine Cheradee Camacho, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Christy Lamiel Bernales clashing with Hanne Goossens, Iuliia Morozova, Wibke Barbier and Sarah Dierckens, respectively.

The Phl women’s team shares 42nd place with 15 others with 11 points.

Gonzales will finish off the Phl’s campaign on Board 4 in place of Paulo Bersamina after posting 2.5 points in three games.

Torre, 62, is also expected to come out strong after taking a three-day rest while Sadorra is also tipped to sustain his form after scoring six points on four wins, four draws and two losses.

Gomez and Bersamina have five points each while Torre has 4.5 points.

Fronda is the best Filipina performer with 7.5 points on six wins, three draws and a loss out of 10 matches while Frayna has six points on five wins, two draws and three defeats.