International Masters Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia continued to anchor the Philippines as the Nationals swept the United Arab Emirates, 4-0, on Saturday to break into the top 20 after four rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Bersamina and Garcia hurdled FIDE Master Al Taher Abdulraman Mohammad and Saeed Laily Mohamed on Boards 2 and 4, respectively, to power the Filipinos to the one-sided victory over the UAE, which is coached by GM Vladimir Akopian.
Also winning their respective assignments were IM Michael Concio, Jr. and GM Daniel Quizon on Boards 1 and 3, respectively.
After four rounds, the Philippines moved into a 39-country logjam at 17th place with six match points. Bersamina and Garcia, who remain unbeaten with 3.5 points each, hope to continue leading the way as the Nationals faced Uzbekistan 2 in the fifth round at press time.
The Filipinas also continued their winning ways, downing Sri Lanka, 3-1, behind victories from WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, WIM Ruelle Canino, and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda on the last three boards to climb to 13th in another 39-nation logjam, also with six match points.
The lone casualty for the Philippines, which is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission with Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal, Sr. serving as head of delegation, was Mhage Sebastian.
Sebastian missed out on her drawing chances and suffered a defeat to WIM Davindya Oshini Gunawardhana on the top board.
Sebastian is expected to sit out the Nationals’ fifth-round duel against the 19th-seeded Spaniards at press time.
