Olay, Dimakiling trail at PSC Cup chess

KIDAPAWAN City's international master (IM) Edgar Reggie Olay and Davao City's IM Oliver Dimakiling trailed after second round of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila as of yesterday presstime.

The 18th-seeded Olay (ELO 2353) drew with No. 41 Ryan Dungca after beating No. 54 Jerad Docena. Olay, a registered nurse by profession, however, only shared the 11th to 24th place with 1.5 points.

The 10th-ranked Dimakiling, for his part, shared the 25th to 50th place with one point following his second round upset loss to No. 29 Nelson Villanueva. The Dabawenyo Dimakiling defeated No. 43 HJ Azahari Md Aliuddin of Brunei Darussalam in the opening round.

Filipino Fide masters (FMs) Fide Masters David Elorta (ELO 2343) and Randy Segarra (ELO 2311) pulled giant upsets to pace the US$30,000 SMART-sponsored nine Round-Swiss tournament, hosted by PSC and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Elorta, a resident of San Andres Bukid, Manila, subdued toppled top- seed Russian Super GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov (ELO 2612) after 67 moves of London System Opening while La Salle Taft head coach Segarra routed GM John Paul Gomez (ELO 2520) in 33 moves of English Opening.

Mongolian GM elect Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (ELO 2522) who subdued IM Chito Garma (ELO 2326) after 27 moves of Catalan Opening; GM Mark Paragua (ELO 2519) who beat IM Ronald Bancod (ELO 2310) after 44 moves of Sicilian defense; FM Haridas Pascua (ELO 2386) who nipped Rhobel Legaspi (ELO 2257) after 37 moves of Catalan Opening and youthful Nelson' Elo' Mariano III (ELO 2251), winner over Noel dela Cruz (ELO 2371) after 59 moves of Center Counter Game also shared a slice of the leaderboard with similar two points.