Pinays vow tough stand against No.15 Spaniards

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s team hopes to build on its strong start in the first five rounds of the World Chess Olympiad although it faces its toughest test thus far against No. 15 Spain at the resumption of hostilities in Batumi, Georgia tonight.

With seven out of 10 match points, including a gutsy draw against No. 25 England before the event’s only break, the 43rd-ranked Pinay chessers are in 23rd place with nine others, vowing to spring another surprise against the fancied Spaniards.

“Originally, we just want to improve on our performance (34th) last time in Baku,” said women’s coach GM Jayson Gonzales, adding that with his wards’ impressive start, they are now eyeing to better the Phl’s best ever 22nd place finish in Thessaoniki, Greece in 1988.

“Though the tournament is still in its early stages, we’ll do our best to achieve it because it has always been the country’s dream to perform really well in the Olympiad,” he added.

Before holding their English rivals to a standoff, the Pinay chessers stunned No. 29 Slovakia, 2.5-1.5, in the fourth round and dropped a close 1.5-2.5 decision to No. 35 Slovenia in the second round.

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza have stood at the forefront of Team Phl’s charge, scoring 3.5 points apiece while Bernadette Galas, Marie Antoinette San Diego and Catherine Secopito have posted two points apiece.

Galas hopes to make it three in row as she joins Frayna, Mendoza and San Diego in their sixth round duel with Spain with Secopito taking a rest following back-to-back defeats.