4th Asian Para Games: Chess teams collect three golds as PH moves to 12th place in medal tally

The Filipino para chess team delivered the goods after bagging three golds, two silvers, and two bronzes in the standard events to help the Philippines rise to 12th place in the medal tally of the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China on Thursday, October 26.

The chess team's medal haul made it four gold, three silver, and four bronze medals for the nationals in the 44-nation meet.

Menandro Redor, who had less than 10 percent vision in both eyes, ruled the men's individual standard VI-B2/B3 after holding Turkmenistan's and top-seeded Atabayev Aygdogdy to a tie in the seventh and final round.

Tied with Iran's Rabbi Amir Khorasgani with an identical 5.5 points, Redor still won the chip after defeating stronger players through the seven-round series.

In his second Asian Para Games, Redor became the first double gold medalist for the Southeast Asian side as he, Armand Subaste, and Darry Bernardo clinched the men's team standard VI-B2/B3 with 9.5 points.

Subaste held Suhrob Hamdamov to a draw for the Philippine Sports Commission-supported Filipino woodpushers to reign in the team event.

Iran's Amir, Bagheri Majid, and Mosleh Hamzeh snagged the silver while Indonesia's Jumadi, Hartono Adji, and Satrio Gayuh notched the bronze in the team VI-B2/B3 tournament.

Despite losing to Mongolia's Khisigbayar Migjee in the last round, Attorney Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza claimed the women's individual standard PI crown for the country's third gold.

Mendoza beat Indonesia's Yuni for the title via winner-over-the-other rule as she outlasted the Indonesian bet in the previous rounds.

It was a bittersweet victory for Mendoza, who felt she could defeat the Mongolian but committed a blunder, resulting in her loss.

"I was ahead but made a blunder in the 28th move that led to the loss. So this gold is bittersweet because I felt I let my team down," Mendoza explained. "Had I won, we could have had the team silver at the very least.

"But we have to manage our emotions since we still have the rapid event. Bawal manggigil."

Yuni settled for silver, while Vietnam's Doan Thu Huyen took the bronze in the competition for chess players with physical impairments (PI).

Meanwhile, Arena Grandmaster (AGM) Henry Lopez overcame Sundui Sonom of Mongolia in the final round to snatch the silver in the men's individual standard PI. Indonesian Tirto topped the event.

Lopez's compatriot and FIDE Master Sander Severino yielded to Tirto in the seventh round for a bronze medal finish.

With Tirto leading the way, Indonesia dethroned the Philippines for the team tilt as the nationals placed second.

National para chess coach James Infiesto said the Filipino squad actually aimed at bringing home six golds, but their strategies and breaks didn't favor them. Though, Infiesto remained optimistic, as the rapid chess events were on the way, stressing it was the Philippines' forte.

"We were actually eyeing six golds entering today's round but the strategy and the breaks didn't go our way yesterday," Infiesto said.

"Luckily, we won half our goals today."

"Actually we are still on target. Puwede pa siyang madagdagan."

The rapid chess events will begin on Thursday afternoon.