Philippine Sports News and Updates

With just a round away from the conclusion of the 38th World Chess Olympiad, the Philippines remained six points behind defending champion Armenia even with its successful face off with Tunisia.

A report posted on SportsNews.ph said the RP chess team made short work of Tunisia, 3.5-0.5, in the 10th round of the Olympiad staged at the International Congress Center in Dresden, Germany.

Grandmasters (GMs) Wesley So, Jayson Gonzales and John Paul Gomez scored successful plays against their respective opponents.

So beat Kamel Nijili in 47 moves of the Sicilian Dragon, Gonzales outplayed Mehdi Bouaziz in 31 moves of the London system and Gomez defeated Aris Meddeb in 39 moves of the French.

GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor also contributed to the team by splitting the point with fellow GM in Queen's Gambit Declined.

The Filipinos improved to 11 points, six points behind defending champion Armenia and 2004 winner Ukraine.

The Filipinos remained within striking distance in a tie for 47th to 63rd places in the 154-team men's field. The Philippines finished 44th in the previous Olympiad in Turin, Italy two years ago.

The Filipinos will face Argentina in the last round.

- abs-cbnNEWS