INTERNATIONAL Masters Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia powered the Philippines to a dominant 4-0 sweep against the United Arab Emirates in the fourth round of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Bersamina and Garcia defeated FIDE Master Al Taher Abdulraman Mohammad and Saeed Laily Mohamed on boards two and four, respectively. Completing the rout were IM Michael Concio, Jr. and GM Daniel Quizon, who both secured victories on boards one and three against the GM Vladimir Akopian-coached UAE squad.
The win lifted the Filipino men’s team into a tie for 17th place in a 39-country group with six match points. Bersamina and Garcia have been key anchors for the team, remaining undefeated with 3.5 points each heading into their fifth-round match against Uzbekistan 2.
The Filipinas also delivered a strong performance, defeating Sri Lanka 3-1 to climb to No. 13 in the standings with six match points. WGM Janelle Mae Frayna, WIM Ruelle Canino, and WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda delivered victories on the bottom three boards.
Top-board player Mhage Sebastian suffered the team’s sole defeat after missing drawing chances against WIM Davindya Oshini Gunawardhana. She is slated to rest in the women’s fifth-round clash against 19th-seeded Spain.
The Philippine delegation’s campaign is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and delegation head Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr.
