Philippines stuns Poland, jumps to 3rd in Olympiad

Team Philippines 1 wielded its sharpest form yet to thwart top seed Poland 1, 3-1, in the fifth round on Wednesday, November 25, and climb to joint third in the 1st FIDE Olympiad for People with Disabilities.

National Master Darry Bernardo continued to shine as he bested Fide Master Marcin Molenda on board 2 while Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza stunned Woman Candidate Master Anna Stolarczyk on board 4 for the marginal points for the third-ranked Philippines 1.

FM Sander  Severino, the reigning world champion for the physically challenged, did his part by drawing with Grandmaster Marcin Tazbir, the highest rated among over 300 competitors with an Elo 2513, on board 1. 

Jasper Rom, a National Master and US Master, also drew with FM Lukasz Nowak on board 3, enabling the Filipinos to rise from joint sixth after round 4.

The Filipinos, being mentored by James Infiesto, raised their total to 8 points, trailing lone perfect scorer Russia 1 with 10 points and Poland 2 with 9. Also with 8 points are Germany, Israel, Ukraine 1, Ukraine 3, and Croatia.

The 20-year-old Bernardo, a member of the Far Eastern University champion team in the UAAP, notched his fifth straight win to stay on course for board 3 honors.

Infiesto said he’ll be fielding the same lineup against Ukraine 1 in round 6 on Thursday.

Not to be left behind, Team Philippines 2 crushed Colombia 2, 3.5-0.5, and raised its chances of exceeding its 23rd seeding in the 61-team, 45-nation field.

Arman Subaste, Max Dave Tellor and Cheryl Angot struck for Philippines 2 with Isrrael Peligro settling for a draw with Anderson Ramirez on board 3.

Subaste trounced Jhon Mike Rosales on Board 1, Tellor subdued Fidel Zabala on board 2, and Angot tamed Nicole Daniela Centenalo on board 4 as Philippines 2 being coached by FM Roel Abelgas improved to 6 points, good for joint 15th.

It will be the Filipinos versus the Ukrainians in round 6 as Philippines 2 tackles Ukraine 2. – Rappler.com