GRANDMASTER Julio Catalino Sadorra (ELO 2553) came up with a huge win with white, turning back Grandmaster Christopher Repka (2523) in 37 moves of a Slav defense to lead the Philippines to a 2.5-1.5 victory over No.48 Slovakia in the second round of the 43rd Chess Olympiad late Tuesday at the Sports Place in Batumi, Georgia.
It was a brilliant sacrificed of Sadorra in the eleven moves giving up knight for a pawn to launch a kings side attack and managed to get the opponent rook.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez (2464), on the other hand, played black and also scored a win, defeating Grandmaster Tomas Petrik (2481) in a marathon 65 moves of a Ruy Lopez Opening.
International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia (2439) halved the point with International Master Viktor Gazik (2486) using the white pieces after 65 moves of Dutch defense Leningrad variation.
International Master Martin Nayhebaver (2466) prevented a humiliating loss of his team by crushing Fide Master Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza (2360) after 41 moves of a Sicilian defense.
The 54th-ranked Philippines moved from 34th place to 36th and will next take on 18th seed Croatia, winner over No.73 Monaco, 3.5-0.5.
"The veterans delivered the important points to win the match." said National Chess Federation of the Philippines director Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe who watched the game live thru ChessBomb.com
Filipino Grandmaster Wesley So (2776) saved the top seed United States of America anew by securing an important victory against Luka Oboladze (2340) in 52 moves of a Sicilian defense to help seal a 2.5-1.5 win over No.65 Georgia Team 3 that put the team in the Top 20 standings.
With Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana (2827), Grandmaster Samuel Shankland (2722) and Grandmaster Ray Robson (2682)claiming draws on Boards 1, 3 and 4, respectively.
Another Filipino Grandmaster Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor (2392), representing No.79 Singapore managed to get half a point while playing white, drawing his match with Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu (2606) in 37 moves of a Slav defense to saved his team to a possible shut-lout loss to No.21 Romania.
Filipino International Master Enrique Paciencia (2335), Woman Grandmaster Qianyun Gong (2321) and Fide Master Qing Aun Lee (2297), meantime dropped their respective matches.
In the women’s section, the No.35 Slovenia edged the No.43 Philippines, 2.5-1.5.
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna (2287) defeated Woman International Master Laura Unuk (2299) in 57 moves of a Catalan Opening while Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito (2157) split the point with Woman Fide Master Lara Janzelj (2254) in 32 moves of a Queens Indian defense.
However, Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza (2113) bowed to Woman Grandmaster Jana Krivec (2185) in 65 moves of a Dutch defense, while Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego (2102) was yielded to Woman Fide Master Teja Vidic (2116).
The Filipinas slipped from 27th to 41st spot and will next face No.55 Venezuela who suffered a 0-4 loses to No.5 India.
"We hope to bounce back in the next match. We gave them a fight and only lost by the narrowest of margins. Janelle won on board 1 against a slightly higher-rated opponent." added Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, who is also the founding president of the Philippine Executive Chess Association referring the heart-breaking loses of the Philippines women's team.
Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre is the head coach and team captain of the men’s team while Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales is the head coach and team captain of the women's team, playing under the guidance of NCFP Chairman/ President Deputy Speaker Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. and Secretary-General Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Ng Tolentino Jr. (Marlon Bernardino).