Barcenilla hauls PH to draw vs Israel

Grandmaster (GM) Banjo Barcenilla rescued the Philippines big time, his victory over GM Tamir Nabaty on Wednesday night forcing a 2-2 draw on favorite Israel in the sixth round of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Barcenilla turned back Nabaty in 64 moves of a King’s Indian encounter on board two to help the Filipinos salvage the draw and stay tied with 10 other countries at 14th place with nine match points.

GM Mark Paragua was the last to finish as he tried his best to eke out a win but ended up splitting the point with GM Avital Boruchovsky in 59 moves of a Four Knights Game that sealed the stunning standoff.

GM Darwin Laylo earlier drew with veteran GM Ilya Smirin on board three, that came after International Master Paulo Bersamina lost his way right in the opening and never recovered to succumb to GM Evgeny Postny on the last board.

The 11-round, 12-day biennial event took a much-needed breather yesterday before plunging back into battle in the seventh round on Friday when the Philippines clashes with powerhouse fifth pick Poland.