Chess Olympiad: Surging Pinoys battle Norwegians

RESURGENT Philippines tests its mettle against Magnus Carlsen and his powerhouse Norway squad in the sixth round of the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Thursday.

Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra tangles with world champion Carlsen even as Eugene Torre tries to keep his unbeaten run against GM Aryan Tari on board three. GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. seeks his fourth win against GM Frode Urkedal on board four while GM John Paul Gomez battles GM John Ludwig Hammer on board two.

The Filipinos crushed the South Africans, 3.5-0.5, in the fifth round to rise to 8.0 match points and share seventh place in the 180-team Open division.

Fresh off a 4-0 rout of the Algerians, the Filipino women aim to crack the top 20 when they clash with the Mexicans. Roy Luarca