BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — The Philippines delivered a commanding performance against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ninth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, securing a clean 4-0 victory on Friday, significantly boosting its prospects for a top finish.

According to Philippines News Agency, US-based Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra led the team with a strategic win over UAE’s super Grandmaster AR Saleh Salem in 35 moves using the King’s Indian Defense. Sadorra utilized the Smyslov Variation, a nod to former Russian world champion Vassily Smyslov, effectively countering his opponent’s favored strategy. His victory on board one at the BOK Sports Hall set the tone for the Philippine team.

Further successes were recorded by GM Daniel Quizon, who defeated Omran Al Hosani on board two; IM Paulo Bersamina, who bested Sedrani Ammar on board three; and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who overcame Fareed Ahmed on board four. These wins bring the Philippines to a total of 12 match points, positioning them within the top 20 with just two rounds remaining in the tournament.

The Philippines aims to either match or exceed its historic seventh-place finish from the 1988 Olympiad in Thessaloniki, Greece, with GM Eugene Torre, who participated as the top board in that tournament, now coaching the men’s team. Looking ahead, the team faces a challenging match against the all-Grandmaster squad from Georgia in the 10th round.

Sadorra, who also coaches the chess team at the University of Texas in Dallas, has had an impressive run, earning six points from seven games, including victories against other notable super GMs from Slovenia, Armenia, and Croatia. He currently ranks third in the individual medal standings on board one, with an Elo rating of 2845, trailing only behind India’s Dommaraju Gukesh and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Concurrently, in the women’s division, the Philippine team faced a setback, losing 1-3 to Romania. Ruelle Canino secured the only point for the Philippines with an unexpected victory over WGM Carmen Voicu-Jagodzinsky. Meanwhile, WGM Janelle Frayna, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and WIM Bernadette Galas faced defeats in their respective matches. The team looks to rebound in their upcoming game against Iceland.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — The Philippines delivered a commanding performance against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the ninth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, securing a clean 4-0 victory on Friday, significantly boosting its prospects for a top finish.

According to Philippines News Agency, US-based Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra led the team with a strategic win over UAE’s super Grandmaster AR Saleh Salem in 35 moves using the King’s Indian Defense. Sadorra utilized the Smyslov Variation, a nod to former Russian world champion Vassily Smyslov, effectively countering his opponent’s favored strategy. His victory on board one at the BOK Sports Hall set the tone for the Philippine team.

Further successes were recorded by GM Daniel Quizon, who defeated Omran Al Hosani on board two; IM Paulo Bersamina, who bested Sedrani Ammar on board three; and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who overcame Fareed Ahmed on board four. These wins bring the Philippines to a total of 12 match points, positioning them within the top 20 with just two rounds remaining in the tournament.

The Philippines aims to either match or exceed its historic seventh-place finish from the 1988 Olympiad in Thessaloniki, Greece, with GM Eugene Torre, who participated as the top board in that tournament, now coaching the men’s team. Looking ahead, the team faces a challenging match against the all-Grandmaster squad from Georgia in the 10th round.

Sadorra, who also coaches the chess team at the University of Texas in Dallas, has had an impressive run, earning six points from seven games, including victories against other notable super GMs from Slovenia, Armenia, and Croatia. He currently ranks third in the individual medal standings on board one, with an Elo rating of 2845, trailing only behind India’s Dommaraju Gukesh and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Concurrently, in the women’s division, the Philippine team faced a setback, losing 1-3 to Romania. Ruelle Canino secured the only point for the Philippines with an unexpected victory over WGM Carmen Voicu-Jagodzinsky. Meanwhile, WGM Janelle Frayna, WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and WIM Bernadette Galas faced defeats in their respective matches. The team looks to rebound in their upcoming game against Iceland.