Chessers off today, seek better Olympiad finish

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s and women’s chess teams leave for Batumi, Georgia tonight, ready to do battle against the best of the best in the World Chess Olympiad which gets going Sunday.

US-based Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra will fly in straight from the US where he will be joined by teammates GM John Paul Gomez, International Masters Haridas Pascua and Jan Emmanuel Garcia and FIDE Master Joseph Mari Turqueza.

Non-playing coach GM Eugene Torre said they are eyeing a top 30 finish, vowing to improve on the country’s 58th place effort in the Baku, Azerbaijan two years ago.

“We’re looking at a top 30 finish or hopefully better,” said Torre, who flashed vintage form and won a bronze medal on board three in Baku.

The women’s squad, meanwhile, will be led by Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna, Catherine Secopito, Shania Mae Mendoza, Bernadette Galas and Antoinette San Diego.

Women’s team mentor GM Jayson Gonzales is looking at a top 25 performance after the squad wound up 34th the last time.