PINOYS SCORE IN CHESS OLYMPIAD
Elista, Kalmyk Republic, Oct. 1, 1998 - The Philippine men's team smashed Afghanistan, 4-0, Tuesday night in the first round of the 33rd FIDE Chess Olympiad.
Grandmasters Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio were benched, in favor of Idelfonso Datu, Richard Bitoon and Ben Flores, who are first-timers in the Olympiad.
Bong Villamayor, a two-time Olympian, scored a Queen's Pawn Opening win in 34 moves over Abdulshoov on Board One.
Bitoon defeated Enyatullah in a 22-move Sicilian while Flores won over Masood in a Closed Sicilian.
Last to finish was Datu, who used a King's Indian Defense.
The RP Women's Team did not fare well although Christine Mariano took the full point from G. Lagvillava of Belarus in a King's Indian Attack 33-mover. Rated 61st, the RP belles lost 1-2 to Belarus, seeded 24th.
The favored Russian men's team got nicked by a tough draw and failed to join 31 other teams which won 4-0. GM Rublensky escaped with a draw against IM Breslan of Austria.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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