RP resumes Olympiad campaign vs Belarus

By: 14 years ago

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, RUSSIA —Resurgent Philippines resumes its campaign in the 39th Chess Olympiad when it battles dangerous Belarus in the sixth round Monday in this city’s Sports Development Center.

The Filipinos won their last two matches—against Paraguay (2.5-1.5) and Uruguay (3-1)—to vault into a share of 16th to 35th places in the 149-team open section before the tournament took a break Sunday.

Grandmaster Wesley So, the highest-rated Filipino with an Elo of 2668, tries to end a string of four draws after an opening-round victory when he handles white against GM Sergei Zhigalko (Elo 2640) on board one.

GM John Paul Gomez battles GM Vitaly Teterev (Elo 2511) on board two, while streaking International Master Richard Bitoon faces IM Kiril Stupak (Elo 2502) on board four.

Two-time World Cupper GM Darwin Laylo returns to action after resting for two rounds to face untitled Egeniy Podol-chenko on board three.

The 37th-seeded Filipinos have 7 points based on the scoring system that gives two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss.

Thus far, Bitoon led the RP scorers with four points.

In women’s play, WFM Cheradee Chardine Camacho will try to steer the Philippines past No. 56 seed Mexico.