MANILA – Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra stunned super GM Vladimir Fedoseev as the Philippines beat Slovenia, 2.5-1.5, in the fifth round to enter the Top 10 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Sunday.
The US-based Sadorra, ranked No. 51, prevailed over the No. 26 Fedoseev after 53 moves of the Queen’s Gambit Declined defense.
His victory put the Philippines in a tie with 21 countries at seventh place in the team standings with eight points each.
Daniel Quizon, who will receive PHP100,000 from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Butch Pichay on top of the PHP1 million incentive from Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga for earning the GM title last Saturday, drew with Anton Demchenko on board two.
International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia also settled for a draw with Jan Subeli and Matej Sebenik, respectively.
The Philippines, coached by GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales with Atty. Ruel Canobas as delegation head, takes on 17th seed Armenia in the sixth round.
In the women's division, the Philippines absorbed a 1.5-2.5 loss to Italy. Top board player Shania Mae Mendoza bowed to IM Marina Brunello while Janelle Mae Frayna, Ja Jodilyn Fronda and Ruelle Canino split their games.
The Filipinas, in a group at No. 37 with six points, will face the Bolivians next.
Meanwhile, India, China, Vietnam and host Hungary are leading the men's standings, while India, Mongolia and Armenia are on top of the women's division. (PNA)
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