MANILA – Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra delivered a stunning upset against super GM Vladimir Fedoseev, propelling the Philippines to a 2.5-1.5 win over Slovenia in the fifth round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad. The match took place at the BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday (15 Sept 2024).
Sadorra, ranked 51st, outplayed Fedoseev, the world’s 26th-ranked player, after 53 moves in a Queen’s Gambit Declined defense. This victory helped the Philippines climb to seventh place in the team standings, joining 21 other countries with eight points.
In another key match, Daniel Quizon drew against Anton Demchenko on board two. Quizon recently earned the Grandmaster title and will receive P100,000 incentive from National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Butch Pichay, as well as a P1 million incentive from Dasmariñas Mayor Jenny Barzaga.
International Masters Paulo Bersamina and Jan Emmanuel Garcia also secured draws against Jan Subeli and Matej Sebenik, respectively.
The Philippine team, led by coaches GMs Eugene Torre and Jayson Gonzales, with Atty. Ruel Canobas as delegation head, is set to face 17th-seeded Armenia in the next round.
In the women’s division, the Philippines fell to Italy 1.5-2.5. Top board player Shania Mae Mendoza lost to IM Marina Brunello, while Janelle Mae Frayna, Ja Jodilyn Fronda, and Ruelle Canino managed to split their games. The team, currently in 37th place with six points, will meet Bolivia next.
Meanwhile, India, China, Vietnam, and host Hungary lead the men’s standings, while India, Mongolia, and Armenia top the women’s division.
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