by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine Chess Team wound up second overall in the team competition of the Pool A action in Division 2 of the 2021 FIDE Online Olympiad.
Reigning National Champion Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda outlasted Tanima Parveen in 56 moves of a Scotch Opening to power the Philippines to a 5.5-0.5 win over Bangladesh Saturday.
Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, International Master Michael Concio Jr., Jersey Marticio and Ma. Elayza Villa also provided the wins to help the Filipinos finish No. 2 with 16 match points, the same output of top notcher Indonesia, who trounced Chinese-Taipei, 5-1.
Indonesia grabbed the top spot with 40.5 tie break points better than runner-up place Philippines with 39.5 points.
Laylo subdued Grandmaster Bin-Sattar Reefat in 29 moves of a Catalan Opening, Concio nipped pine Master Rahman Mohammad Fahad in 66 moves of a Queens Indian defense, Marticio crushed Woman FIDE Master Anjum Noshin in 30 moves of a Scotch Opening and Villa trounced Woman International Master Sharmin Shirin Sultana in 73 moves of a Queens Gambit Declined.
Grandmaster Ziaur Rahman split the point with International Master Paulo Bersamina in 30 moves of a Kings Indian defense to prevent a possible shut-out loss of Bangladesh.
The top three finishers will then advance to the four-pool Top Division where the top two move on to the two-set quarterfinals.
The team, which has GM Eugene Torre as coach and GM Jayson Gonzales as delegation head.
” We win as one. Co-Champion, FIDE Online World Chess Olympiad 2021 (Division 2 – Pool A). After 3 days of teamwork and perseverance, Philippine Chess Team has conquered the World stage. We are now ready to fight for the next battle against the Top Divisions on Sept 8-10, 2021. Continue to show your love and utmost support to our Chess Heroes. A big congratulations to Philippine Chess Team,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay J