PH men take turn under spotlight

Relegated to the shadows by an overachieving women’s squad, the Philippines’ men’s team fought its way back to relevance Monday night to make up for a hiccup suffered by the distaff side.

The Philippines cracked feisty Albania, 2.5-1.5, to jump into the top 60 after spending a lot of time outside the top 100 in the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.

The win by the struggling men’s team provided a dash of good news after the women’s squad dropped a 3-1 decision to host Georgia’s second team.

Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra and International Master Haridas Pascua bested IMs Dritan Mehmeti and Ilir Seitaj on boards one and four, respectively, while IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia turned a losing position to a draw with Fide Master Franc Ashiku on board three as the Filipinos escaped with the win.

GM John Paul Gomez blundered away a pawn and then a rook and fell to untitled Llambi Pasko on board two.

The Philippines was playing Uruguay in the eighth round at press time hoping to climb further up in this biennial, 11-round tournament being currently led by Azerbaijan, Poland and the United States with 13 points apiece.

In women’s play, the Filipinos dropped out of the top 20 a day after upsetting 15th seed Spain.

Woman IMs Shania Mae Mendoza and Bernadette Galas lost to WGMs Inga Charkhalashvili and Miranda Mikadze on boards two and four while WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego halved the point with IM Salome Melia and EIM Sofia Gvetadze on boards one and three.

The defeat sent the country, which started the round at No. 13, to a 20-country logjam at No. 24.