Lady chessers still unbeaten

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines smashed Syria, 3.5-.5, to remain undefeated and keep its chances of finishing in the top 10 afloat after two rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Mhage Sebastian, trusted upon to man the top board despite being an Olympiad rookie, continued her strong showing, winning her second straight match, this time over Woman FIDE Master Roula Mahmoud.

Also coming through were WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza on boards three and four, respectively, while WIM Ruelle Canino was held to a draw by WFM Manar Khalil on second board.

The win kept the Filipinas, whose trip is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, in a heavy 44-nation logjam at No. 1, which included defending champion India, with four match points apiece.

The Filipinos, in contrast, ran into seventh seed Azerbaijan and fell, 1-3, with IMs Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia the only players who escaped with draws on boards two and four.