Torre breaks slump as RP scuttles Italy

BLED–Eugene Torre earned his first victory in nearly a week as the Philippines came to within range of landing in the top 20th in the 11th round of the 35th Chess Olympiad Wednesday.

The Philippines whipped Italy, 3-1, to collect 25.5 points to share 22nd to 25th places with Lithuania, Sweden and Bangladesh.

Torre repulsed a brewing kingside attack hurled by Michele Godena to win in 38 moves of a Pirc Defense.

Joey Antonio downed Fernando Braga in 38 moves of a Sicilian Defense and Mark Paragua defeated Carlo D’Amore in 57 moves of a Center Game.

Bong Villamayor accounted for the lone setback at the hands of Fabio Bellini in 38 moves of French Defense.

Macedonia, which is bannered by supergrandmaster Kiril Georgiev, will test the Philippines’ mettle to reach the top 10 in the 12th round on Thursday.

The women’s squad dealt the home team’s main crew a big setback when they defeated Slovenia A, 2-1. They have 17 points and are poised between 32nd to 38th place.

Arianne Caoili led the Filipinas with a snappy triumph in 44 moves of a King’s Indian over Jana Krivec and Beverly Mendoza followed it up with a 34-move conquest of Darja Kaps in a Sicilian Defense.

Kathryn Cruz took her third loss by bowing to Anna Srebrenic in 34 moves of a King’s Indian. Croatia is the Filipinas’ next opponent.