Chessers break medal-less spell

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will not be going home empty-handed in chess for the second Southeast Asian Games edition.

Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and International Master Paulo Bersamina delivered the country’s first medal in the sport after snatching a silver in the men’s rapid team event.

The Filipinos drew with he Vietnamese, 1-1, to claim the silver with 6.0 points, or half point behind the latter.

Indonesia took the bronze with 5.5 points.

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and Marie Antoinette San Diego added a bronze by finishing with four points in the women’s rapid team.

Indonesia and Vietnam both scored six points but the former edged the latter in the tiebreak to win top honors.

The day’s effort allowed Team Philippines to improve on its medal-less performance in the 2019 edition in Subic.

IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia topped the online event then but it was a mere demo competition and did not count in the medal tally.

Without a gold since Wesley So – now playing for the United States – reigned supreme in Palembang in 2011, Team Philippines resumes the chase, banking on Daniel Quizon, Bersamina, Frayna and Shania Mae Mendoza in the blitz event today and blitz team tomorrow.