Paragua keys Philippines squeaker vs Sweden

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Mark Paragua dug deep into his bag of endgame tricks as he carved out a nerve-wracking victory on top board in lifting the Philippines to a stunning 2.5-1.5 win over fancied Sweden in the fifth round Tuesday night and into the top 10 of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

Left with the responsibility of carrying the fight after GMs John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo and International Master Paulo Bersamina drew their respective games in the lower boards, the 38-year-old Paragua willfully went for a win when he could have easily sent his duel with GM Erik Blomqvist into a draw.

The New York-based many-time World Cup veteran built on a slim lead brick by brick, layer by layer until he got the much needed break against an unnerved Blomqvist and turned it into lasting advantage.

When it was over, his higher-rated foe was facing the specter of losing his rook and resigned on the 69th move.

The emphatic win sent the Filipinos, who are being sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, into an 18-nation logjam at eighth spot with eight match points apiece.

Team Phl was just two points behind co-leaders India 2 and Armenia, which were toting perfect scores of 10 points, and a point behind third to seventh placers Uzbekistan, India 1, Cuba, Iran and a Wesley So-paced United States of America with nine points each.

National men’s coach Eugene Torre said they would rest Gomez in favor of GM Banjo Barcenilla.

Meanwhile, the women’s team suffered a heartbreaker as Janelle Mae Frayna lost to Eline Roebers on top board in their 2.5-1.5 defeat at the hands of the higher-ranked Dutch.

WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego prevailed over FIDE Master Machteld Van Foreest on board three while WGM candidate Kylen Joy Mordido halved the point with WIM Rosa Ratsma on board four.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda fell to grizzled veteran GM Peng Zhaoqin on second board.

The GM Jayson Gonzales-mentored Filipinas slipped to a 35-nation tie at 39th with six points and they were facing the Ecuadorians in the sixth round.