Pinoy chessers tumble to joint 6th after 2 losses

From superior to vulnerable.

That’s the transformation Team Philippines underwent in the Asian Nations Chess Cup Open division on Friday, October 16.

After sweeping their first 3 opponents on October 10, the Filipinos bowed to the Iranians, 1.5-2.5, and the Australians, 1-3, and struggled past the Mongolians, 2.5-1.5, from rounds 4 to 5, putting their quarterfinals bid in the online Swiss system event on shaky ground.

The Filipinos tumbled from No. 1 to a share of 6th to 11th spot going to the last 3 rounds on Sunday, with only the top 8 teams advancing to the knockout rounds.

Though International Master Paulo Bersamina bested Grandmaster Ehsan Ghaem Maghani for his fourth straight victory in as many rounds on board 3, the Philippines still fell to third-seeded Iran as GM Parham Maghsoodloo trounced GM Mark Paragua on board 1 and GM Aryan Gholami downed GM John Paul Gomez on board 4.

GM Rogelio Barcenilla drew with GM M. Amin Tabatabaei on board 3.

Paragua and Gomez rebounded with victories over Fide Master Ganzorig Amartuvshin and IM Sugar Gan-Erdeni, respectively, to give the Philippines a lift over Mongolia, which scored through GM Sumiya Bilguun over Barcenilla and GM Tsegmed Batchuluu, who split the point with Bersamina.

Only Paragua was able to score against the all-GM Aussies, beating Anton Smirnov.

With Barcenilla rested, Bersamina took over board 2 and suffered his first loss against Temur Kuybokarov. Elevated to board 3, Gomez also lost to Max Illingworth, while IM Haridas Pascua, playing his first game on board 4, yielded to Ly Moulthon.

Following its victory over the Philippines, Iran held Kazakhstan to a 2-2 draw in the 5th round before routing Singapore, 3.5-0.5, to take over top spot with 11 points.

Australia and Kazakhstan shared 2nd spot with 10 points each, followed by top seed India and Kyrgyzstan with 9 each.

Bunched with the Filipinos at 8 points were the Indonesians, Mongolians, Japanese, Nepalese and the Singaporeans.

Women’s division action resumes Saturday with the Philippines facing fellow 4-pointer Kyrgyzstan. Joint leaders Indonesia and Vietnam and Iran and Kazakshtan, all with 6 points, part ways in the featured matches. – Rappler.com