THE Philippines flexed its muscle early and routed Togo and Malawi with a pair 4-0 wins Wednesday that set in motion the bid for a better finish in the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Michael Concio Jr., Pau Bersamina, Daniel Quizon and Jem Garcia presided over the carnage of the Togolese in the men’s side while Mhage Sebastian, Ruelle Canino, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Shania Mae Mendoza were untouchable against the Malawians in another sweep triumph.
Grandmaster (GM)Darwin Laylo and Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna are expected to suit up in the second round late Thursday after sitting it out in the opening round where opponents are usually a little lighter.
But it will not be that way in the succeeding rounds as the Filipinos, seeded 57th in the 208-nation, clash with the seventh-seeded Azeris, while the Filipinas, seeded 42nd of 190 countries, face off with the lower-ranked Syrians.
The Philippines-sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission-finished 59th in the men’s division in Budapest two years ago while the women wound up 24th-good enough to seal the Category B gold medal, a first in a long while.
There would be added motivation though in Samarkand as National Chess Federation of the Philippines deputy president for Mindanao and Misamis Occidental governor Henry Oaminal Sr. vowed to reward P1 million if the country finishes in the top 10 or P500,000 for a top 20 finish.
Oaminal also promised to give P500,000 for a category team gold, P300,000 for a silver and P200,000 for a bronze and P100,000 for an individual gold medal, P75,000 for a silver and P50,000 for a bronze.
He also gave $500 to each member of the team.