Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Maria Jose Campos in Round 7 to lift the Philippines over Argentina, 2.5-1.5, Wednesday in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary.
The enlisted personnel of the Philippine Army claimed victory in 66 moves of the English Opening on board three.
Ruelle Canino gave the Philippines a 1-0 lead when she stunned WGM Claudia Amura after 39 moves also of the English Opening on board four.
However, Shania Mae Mendoza lost to WGM Candela Francisco Guecamburu on board one and Jan Jodilyn Fronda drew her game with Anapaola Borda Rodas on board three to tie the score at 1.5-all.
The Philippines, ranked 22nd in the standings with 10 points, will next face Turkiye, the No. 16 seed.
“It gets tougher and tougher from hereon but we'll fight," said national women’s team coach GM Jayson Gonzales, who was accompanied by men’s non-playing captain GM Eugene Torre and delegation head Atty. Ruel Canobas.
India trounced Georgia, 3-1, to remain on top of the women's standings with 14 points, followed by Poland, Kazakhstan and France with similar 12 points.
Meanwhile, GM Julio Catalino Sadorra drew with super GM Ante Brkic after 31 moves of the Ruy Lopez Cozio variation on board one as the Philippines bowed to Croatia, .5-3.5, in the men's division.
Daniel Quizon lost to Sasa Martinovic, Paulo Bersamina fell to Leon Lavic and John Paul Gomez dropped his game against Hrvoje.
The Philippines, which slid to 44th in the standings with eight points, will battle South Africa in Round 8.
India prevailed over China, 2.5-1.5 to keep the lead with 14 points.
Iran downed Vietnam, 2.5-1.5, to stay in solo second with 13 points, followed by Uzbekistan, Hungary, Armenia and Serbia, all with 12 points. (PNA)
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