AFTER 17 rounds of top quality chess among the 18 qualifiers for men the members of the RP team for the 2008 Chess Olympiad have been named.
International Master John Paul Gomez leads the team to Dresden Germany, along with GMs Wesley So, Buenaventura Villamayor, Jayson Gonzales and Darwin Laylo.
The RP team will also not have some of the regulars of previous editions, including the top board player in the 2006 Olympiad, Mark Paragua who was edged out via tiebreak.
GMS Eugene Torre and Joey Antonio also opted not to participate in the eliminations.
Gomez is this year’s surprise in the elimination after topping the event with 13 points, including six straight wins in the early rounds.
Meanwhile, the Women’s team will be composed of Catherine Pereña, Shercila Cua, Daisy Rivera, Chardine Camacho and Christy Lamiel Bernales.
This year’s Olympiad will feature some major changes. Instead of the six members of the Men’s team, the number has been cut to five, including one alternate.
The women’s squad has also been increased to five, including an alternate.
Another major change in the Olympiad is the reduction of the number of rounds, down to 11 from 14. Frank Pestaño
