Pinoys make right moves in Olympiad

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Mark Paragua fought his way back from a losing battle to preserve the Philippines’ 4-0 rout of Oman Friday night that set in motion its ambitious campaign for World Chess Olympiad honors in Chennai, India.

Time troubled and facing the spectre of a back-ranked checkmate after his sacrificial kingside attack fizzled out, the New York-based Paragua, 38, clung to hope and whispered a prayer that was answered. FIDE Master Amer Al Maashani suddenly played passive from there despite having the luxury of having more time on the latter’s clock.

It allowed the three-time World Cup veteran to salvage a victory and complete the rout that also included triumphs by GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and International Master Paulo Bersamina in the last three boards.

It also catapulted the Filipinos to an early share of the lead with 91 others, including 75 other nations that posted identical 4-0 results.

The Filipinos, ranked 52nd in this 11-round, 12-day tournament considered the Olympics of the sport and whose trip is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, were playing sixth seed Azerbaijan, which rammed Algeria, 4-0.

Paragua will have his hands full as the Azeri are expected to finally play Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, ranked 10th in the world and sixth highest rated chesser in the event, after getting an opening-round rest.

Paragua bested Mamedyarov in their last Olympiad game in a 3-1 defeat by the Filipinos in the 2004 Calvia edition.

GM Banjo Barcenilla was also expected to play following a first-round break while Laylo sits this one out.

The women’s squad had a quicker, more merciless result – a 4-0 destruction of Guam – following wins by WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza, WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego and WGM-candidate Kylen Joy Mordido.