Grandmasters Julio Catalino Sadorra and John Paul Gomez beat their opponents to carry the Philippines to a 3-1 win over South Africa in the eighth round of the 45th Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary.
Sadorra prevailed over International Master Jan Karsten in 36 moves of the Queen’s Pawn game on board one, while Gomez defeated FIDE Master Banele Mhango in 34 moves of the Ruy Lopez Jaenisch variation on board three.
Their victories came after IM Paulo Bersamina settled for a draw with Caleb Levi Levitan on board two, and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia split the point with Daniel Cawdery on board four.
The Philippines, which bowed to Armenia (1.5-2.5) and Croatia (.5-3.5), now has 10 points. It will battle the United Arab Emirates in Round 9.
“We will need all the encouragement to keep fighting hard for our team,” said Sadorra, coach of the University of Texas in Dallas team.
Meanwhile, the Philippines suffered a 1.5-2.5 loss to Turkiye in the women's division.
Janelle Mae Frayna split the point with Betul Cemre Yildiz Kadioglu on board two.
Ruelle Canino settled for a draw with Gulaney Aydin on board three while the match between Bernadette Galas and Hayale Isgenderova on board four also ended in a draw.
Board one player Shania Mae Mendoza surrendered to Ekaterina Atalik after 100 moves of a Slav Defense.
The Filipinas will face the Romanians next. (PNA)
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