Gomez is newest RP grandmaster

DRESDEN, Germany — The Philippines put up a brave stand against highly-rated Czech Republic in the ninth round of the 38th World Chess Olympiad, dropping a close 1.5-2.5 decision on a day John Paul Gomez became the newest Filipino grandmaster.

Gomez and GMs Wesley So and Darwin Laylo drew their matches but GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor dropped a heartbreaker as the Filipinos suffered their second straight setback and remained outside the magic circle in this prestigious gathering of the world’s leading chess players.

Gomez shone brightest for the 38th-seeded Filipinos, holding GM Viktor Laznicka to a draw in 30 moves of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

Gomez played cautiously, forcing an early exchange of pawns and minor pieces at the center to simplify the position. The draw was enough for the 22-year-old campaigner from Biñan, Laguna to earn the elusive GM title with a high Olympiad performance rating of 2606.

So, easily one of the most popular young players here following his rise as the world’s youngest GM during the Pichay Cup last year, settled for a draw by repetition of moves with GM Zbynek Hracek in 23 moves of the Sicilian Alapin.

Laylo, who edged close friend GM Mark Paragua for the fifth and last slot to the national team, halved the point with GM Jiri Stocek in 51 moves of Slav for the Filipinos’ third draw.

Four-time Olympian Villamayor continued his struggle, however.

The 41-year-old Villamayor lost for the fourth time in seven matches, bowing to GM David Navara in 38 moves of the Slav.

Overall, the Filipinos dropped into a tie for 64th to 80th places with only nine points on four wins, one draw and four losses in the match point style scoring system.

So remains as the country’s only unbeaten player with three wins and five draws. Laylo has two wins, two draws and three losses.

Gomez, however, is the top scorer for the team so far with six points on four wins, four draws and only one loss.

Villamayor has three draws and four losses while manning the fort on top board, while Gonzales has one win, one draw and three losses on board three.

The Filipinos get a chance to improve their 44th-place finish in the Turin Olympiad two years ago when the meet lowly Tunisia

In the women’s division, the Philippines outduelled Brazil, 2.5-1.5, with Catherine Perena and Shercila Cua providing the much-needed victories on the first two boards.

Perena, who bagged the bronze medal in the Asian Indoor Games in Macau last year, whipped WFM Juliana Sayumi Terao in 40 moves of the Petroff.

Cua, a mainstay of the well-known V. Luna Chess Club, trounced WFM Vanessa Feliciano in 42 moves of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

World Youth Championship campaigner Christy Lamiel Bernales split the point with Cristina Tatiane Coelho in 45 moves of the Center Counter.