Chess Olympiad: PH men momentum halted by loss to Armenia

FILE–Philippines’ GM Daniel Quizon in action during the 45th Fide Chess Olympiad. –FIDE

BUDAPEST—It seemed at the start like the Philippines was heading for a second straight stunning victory, again spearheaded by Grandmaster (GM) Julio Catalino Sadorra. But a chase for draws ended in defeat on Monday, sending the country out of the top 10 after six rounds of the 45th Fide (International Chess Federation) Chess Olympiad.

Sadorra, fresh from a stunning reversal in the men’s team’s upset of Slovenia the day before, brought down another super GM in Haik Martirosyan at board one but defeats by GMs Daniel Quizon and John Paul Gomez to higher-rated foes resulted in a 2.5-1.5 defeat to Armenia.

Quizon fell to super GM Shant Sargsyan while Gomez lost to another super GM in Robert Hovhannisyan at BOK Sports Hall here even as International Master Paulo Bersamina failed to convert a pawn advantage into a win.

READ: Sadorra pulls off chess stunner in Philippines’ upset of Slovenia

It was a missed opportunity for the Philippines, who came into the match in high spirits after the men’s team found itself in a tie for seventh place following the upset of Slovenia in the fifth round.

The squad seemed to ride the momentum of that victory as Sadorra cut down Martirosyan to size and his teammates looked headed for draws in the lower boards.

But things fell apart and the country tumbled down to a share of 21st place.

“We recharge and we fight another day,” said GM Jayson Gonzales, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer and one of two coaches of Team Philippines here, alongside legendary GM Eugene Torre.

READ: Philippines off to great start in Hungary Chess Olympiad

The Filipino women climbed to a share of 22nd spot after whipping Bolivia, 3-1 behind victories from Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda.

The 11-round tournament took a break on Tuesday and will resume on Wednesday for the final five-round windup.

The Philippines, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, will battle Croatia in the men’s division and Argentina in the women’s side.