PHL to rest Torre vs Afghans in Chess Olympiad opener

MANILA, Philippines – The rag-tag Philippine men's chess team sets out to defy overwhelming odds as it clashes with lowly Afghanistan in the first round of the 41st World Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway.

The Filipinos are expected to rest Grandmaster Eugene Torre, the team's eldest statesman who made a historic 22nd Olympiad appearance, and field in GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and John Paul Gomez, youthful International Master Paulo Bersamina and playing captain GM Jayson Gonzales.

The Afghans will field in just four players and will have only two titled players in FIDE Masters Kooshani Mahbuboollah (2036) and Asefi Zaheeruddeen (1996) at their disposal. The other two members of the team are Sarwaery Hamidullah (1920) and Ahmadi Zabiullah (2031).

The Phl can afford to rest the 63-year-old Torre for the long grind since this 11-round tournament uses match-point scoring format where a team victory is equivalent to two points, a draw one points and a loss none.

Sadorra, who joined the team two days ago after flying straight from the United States, was thrusted into the top board after Wesley So switched allegiance to be one of the coaches of the Americans and Oliver Barbosa begged off due to visa delays.

The 16-year-old Bersamina, for his part, will make his Olympiad debut after filling the void left by the 20-year-old So, who is seeking release from the National Chess Federation of the Phl for him to play for the US chess team.

Gonzales, who hasn't played competitively in the last six years, was forced to fill the hole left by Barbosa after former Olympian GM Banjo Barcenilla begged off twice citing his family's fear of terror threats in Tromso.

Cheradine Camacho, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Catherine Perena and Christy Lamiel Bernales will comprise the women's squad and drew Palau.