Georgia drops Philippine chessers to joint 24th

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s team ran into the tough Georgia second team, and absorbed a 1-3 defeat to slip outside the top 20 after seven rounds of the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia Monday night.

A day after a big upset of 15th seed Spain, the Pinay chessers, ranked just 43rd in this biennial, 11-round tournament, were sent back to earth by the Georgians, following defeats by WIMs Shania Mae Mendoza and Bernadette Galas on boards two and four, respectively.

Mendoza was outplayed by WGM Inga Charkhalashvili in 50 moves of a Queen’s Pawn game while Galas fell to WGM Miranda Mikadze in 38 moves of a Sicilian.

It was Galas’ first defeat after winning her first three outings.

WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego drew with IM Salome Melia and EIM Sofia Gvetadze on boards one and three, respectively.

With the loss to Georgia – home to former women’s world champions Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze, the Pinay chessers slipped down to a heavy 20-team jam at 24th spot with nine points, or four behind Armenia, which pulled the rug from under erstwhile leader United States, 2.5-1.5, to snatch the solo lead with 13 points.

In the men’s side, the Filipinos continued to breathe life on their campaign with a close 2.5-1.5 win over Albania.

GM Julio Catalino Sadorra downed IM Dritan Mehmeti and IM Haridas Pascua trounced IM Ilir Seitaj on first and fourth boards and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia split the point with FM Franc Ashiku on third board.

GM John Paul Gomez was the lone casualty as he lost to Llambi Pasko on second board.

The Phl was battling Uruguay in the seventh round.