Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Dimakiling in smashing debut as RP triumphs
FIDE Master Oliver Dimakiling of Davao City had smashing debut in the Chess Olympiad Monday as the Philippines opened up with a devastating 4-0 victory over Mauritius in Turin, Italy.
Dimakiling, who hails from Barangay Sasa, toppled Deevarajan Chimnasamy in board 3, and victories by Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio Jr, Darwin Laylo and 12-year-old wonder Wesley So got the Filipinos off to a roaring start with four points in the 37th edition of the world's biggest team chess event.
Antonio, playing the top board after team captain Sammy Estimo rested Grandmaster Mark Paragua for the tough matches ahead, downed Phillips Roy.
Laylo, playing the black pieces, beat Patrick Li Ying onboard 2, while So upstaged Marie Patrick on board 4.
The Philippines, seeded 35th in the 13-round Swiss system tournament, plays Luxembourg in the second round scheduled Tuesday night in Manila.
The Filipino chessers are eyeing to equal or surpass their 19th place finish in the 2004 edition in Calvia, Spain, and rebound from a disastrous stint in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games where they were shut out of a gold medal.
The country's best ever finish of seventh came in 1998 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
In the women's side, the Philippines lost to powerful Germany, 2.5-1.5. (CRAM)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (May 23, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
