PH loses to Armenia in Chess Olympiad

MANILA – The Philippines bowed to former world champion Armenia, 2.5-1.5, in the sixth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Monday night.

Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra, a coach at the University of Texas in Dallas, prevailed over super GM Haik Martirosyan on board one.

Daniel Quizon, who earned a GM title last Saturday, fell to super GM Shant Sargsyan on board two.

International Master Paulo Bersamina settled for a draw with Gabriel Sargissian on board three, while IM John Paul Gomez succumbed to Robert Hovhannisyan on board four.

From No. 7, the Philippines dropped to 28th place in the standings with eight points.

India is on top with 12 points followed by Vietnam, China and Iran with 11 points, followed by Uzbekistan, France, Ukraine, Armenia, Hungary, England, Georgia, Serbia, Lithuania and the Netherlands with 10 points.

In the women's division, the Philippines downed Bolivia, 3-1, to take the No. 34 spot with eight points in the team standings.

Top board player Shania Mae Mendoza beat Daniela Cordero, GM Janelle Mae Frayna conquered Nataly Monroy on board two and Jan Jodilyn Fronda defeated Gloria Luz Yepez Montenegro on board three, while Bernadette Galas lost to Jessica Molina on board four.

India beat Armenia (2.5-1.5) to keep the lead with 12 points followed by Georgia and Poland with 11 points.

Georgia prevailed over Mongolia, 2.5-1.5, while Poland defeated China, 2.5-1.5.

Meanwhile, the Philippines will next face Croatia in the men's division, and Argentina in the women's division.

"We recharge and we fight another day," said Gonzales, also the National Chess Federation of the Philippines chief executive officer Jayson Gonzales, who also serves as women's coach.

GM Eugene Torre supervises the men's team while lawyer Ruel Canobas is head of delegation. (PNA)