INDIA sent the Philippine women’s team back to reality, crushing the Filipinas, 3.5-0.5, to pull them down to a share of 40th place Sunday after the third round of the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbajian.
Only Janelle Mae Frayna, who is seeking a woman’s grandmaster’s title, escaped the Indians by drawing with top board Harika Dronovalli.
The Indians, forewarned after the Filipinas upset fourth-seed Georgia on Saturday, played solidly in trouncing their foes.
The men’s team, playing without top board Ino Sadorra again, defeated Nigeria, 3-1, with Paulo Bersamina losing the only game for the Filipinos. Eugene Torre won his third straight game in remaining the highest scorer in the Philippine team
Sadorra, who team officials said had a headache, had a lab test Monday. He was rested again as the Philippines faces Costa Rica in Monday’s fourth round.
The men’s team is in a tie for 50th place as it amassed four match points and 14 game points Among the eight teams it is tied with is Singapore, whose captain is Philippine grandmaster Bong Villamayor.
The Filipinos, who lost to Paraguay the round before, could climb even further in the standings if they could hurdle the Costa Ricans in the fourth round.
The women’s team has four match games and 13 game points, just like Jordan.
The Filipinas meet Canada in Monday’s fourth round, with Cristy Lamiel Bernales, who took her second loss against India, replaced by teener Shania Mae Mendoza.
The Olympiad scoring system gives two points to the winning team of the round, one point for a draw and zero for a loss. The game points, which used to be the basis for placings, is now the second tie-breaker.
The team, whose trip is made possible by the Philippine Sports Commission, will face off with Canada next.
