The Philippines bounced back with convincing 3.5-0.5 victories over Yemen in the men’s section and Angola in the women’s division after six rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Monday night.
International Masters Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo delivered decisive wins on Boards 1, 3, and 4, respectively, while GM Daniel Quizon drew IM Al Zendani Zendan on Board 2 as the Filipinos climbed into a 33-nation tie for 29th place with eight match points.
Mhage Sebastian, WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza secured victories for the Filipinas on Boards 1, 2, and 4, respectively, while WIM Ruelle Canino drew WIM Caxita Esperanca on Board 3.
The result moved the Filipinas into a 30-country tie for 28th place, also with eight match points.
The emphatic victories made up for the fifth-round defeats suffered by the Filipinos against Uzbekistan 2 and the Filipinas against Spain the previous day.
The 11-round tournament then took a much-needed breather, giving all the participants, including the Philippine squads, time to recharge and prepare for the decisive final five rounds of the biennial competition, which is widely regarded as the Olympics of chess.
The Filipinos face Argentina, while the Filipinas take on Kyrgyzstan in the seventh round on Tuesday.
