RP chessers join 17th in Olympiad

The Philippines called on the big games of its players on the lower boards to cushion the impact of GM Eugene Torre’s loss and complete a 2.5-1.5 victory over Latvia Sunday for a share of 17th place at the close of the 34th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

GM Bong Villamayor and NM Idelfonso Datu delivered the points for the Filipinos by outwitting Janis Klovans and Vlesturs Meijers, respectively, in a stirring final round victory that assured them of a top 20 finish for the first time since the Philippines placed seventh in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1988.

Torre, who had hoped to keep the momentum of the team’s big 3-1 win over Argentina in the penultimate round by fielding in the same lineup against the Latvians, bowed to Normunds Mezis on the top board, while GM Rogelio Antonio failed to eke out a victory over Maris Krakois and settled for a draw.

The Philippines thus wound up with 32 points in the 14-round Swiss system event, where it won nine games, drew once (with Switzerland) and lost four times (to Spain, Ukraine, USA and Georgia). It shared 17th to 25th places with Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Greece, Denmark, Cuba, Spain, Yugoslavia and Estonia.

Antonio and Villamayor emerged as the team’s top scorers with seven points apiece with the former scoring six wins, two losses and two draws in 10 games and the latter winning four times, losing twice and drawing six times.

Datu made a good account of himself by contributing six points on three victories and six draws, his remarkable performance marred by a loss to American Nick de Firmian in the 11th round.

Torre closed out with two wins and the same number of losses plus six draws, while IM Barlo Nadera had four wins, three draws and three losses for 5.5 points.

The RP women’s team lost to Czechoslovakia, 1-2, and finished in joint 36th place.

Russia, despite world champion Alexander Khalifman’s 4.5 points in nine games, won the event with 38 points. The Russians have won the men’s tournament all but twice since 1954.

Germany finished second with 37 points while Ukraine scored 35.5 for third.

China dominated the women’s event with 32 points with Georgia finishing second with 31 and Russia third with 28.5 points.