INO Sadorra, the Philippines’ top player now based in the US, drew with world champion Magnus Carlsen as the Philippines held their higher-rated foe to a 2-2 draw in the sixth round of the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku.
Sadorra grabbed the initiative after Carlsen chose a tame, but potent opening against the Filipino’s French Defense. He was a pawn up against the world champion when time trouble prevented him from exploiting his advantage. The game was drawn in 41 moves.
“He even gave up a pawn for pressure, but it was dubious and I was pushing….it was only time trouble that kept me from converting the advantage,” said Sadorra in a postgame interview with former women’s world champion Susan Polgar.
The draw result with Norway, with all four boards ending in a truce, hoisted the Filipinos to 19th place, with nine match points from four wins, one draw and one loss. The Filipinos meet Italy in Round 7 tonight, keeping the same lineup of Sadorra, John Paul Gomez, Eugene Torre and Rogelio Barcenilla Jr.
“If we keep playing this way, maybe we can hit the Top 10,” said Sadorra in the same interview.
The surprising Indian team is leading the field after slipping past the Netherlands.
The women’s side routed Mexico, 3-1, but rookie Shania Mae Mendoza took her first loss in three games.
The Filipinas climbed to their best placing so far of 19th place but their resolve will be tested by Hungary in the seventh round. The Hungarians are led by Hoang Thanh Trang, a former Vietnamese who won the 1998 world junior championship.