Filipinos tired but ready as Chess Olympiad fires off

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Team Philippines arrived here Monday morning (afternoon in Manila) tired but confident of doing well in the 40th Chess Olympiad.

Led by Grandmaster Wesley So, the men’s team is bidding to rebound from its worst-ever 50th place finish while the women’s squad, led by Woman International Master Catherine Perena, is aiming to improve on its 44th place windup in the 2010 Olympiad held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

So, who came from Missouri, USA, is expected to hook up with his fellow Nationals in the afternoon at the Radisson Blu hotel.

The rest of the Filipino players, who flew to Singapore Sunday and then took the nearly 11-hour connecting flight to this historic, culture-rich city, are Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre, reigning national titlist GM Mark Paragua, GM Oliver Barbosa, IM Oliver Dimakiling, Perena, Woman Fide Master Rulp Ylem Jose and Woman National Masters Janelle Mae Frayna, Jedara Docena and Jan Jodilyn Fronda.

They were accompanied by GM Jayson Gonzales, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines executive director who will also act as coach of both PH teams.

Gonzales said this year’s Nationals have the depth, talent and experience to better their performances in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Play in the 11-round tournament starts at 3 p.m. (8 p.m. Manila time) Tuesday at Istanbul Expo Center. Matches in both the Open and Women’s sections will be held daily, except for free days on Sept. 2 and Sept. 8, prior to the last round on Sept. 9.

The 60-year-old Torre, who’ll be making his record 21st Olympiad appearance, will play in the second round Wednesday. He is grieving from the death of his mother, who passed away at 97, Saturday morning.