Sadorra joins undermanned Phl team in Chess Olympiad

MANILA, Philippines – Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra flew Friday straight from the United States to Tromso, Norway to join the undermanned Philippine men's team when it tries to defy odds in at the start of the 41st World Chess Olympiad on Saturday.

Sadorra, who played college chess in the US for University of Texas Dallas, will man the top board for a team already hobbling in the absence of its two best players in GMs Wesley So and Oliver Barbosa.

So has long announced he will switch allegiances with the US Chess Federation and will be one of the coaches of the American men's team while Barbosa will no longer join the Filipinos because of visa delays.

In lieu of Barbosa, GM John Paul Gomez will play Board Three while newly minted International Master Paulo Bersamina will took the spot left by So and will man the fourth board.

Asia's first GM Eugene Torre, 63, will play board three and will make a historic 22nd stint in the biennial tournament, which is already an Olympiad record for most number of appearances.

GM Jayson Gonzales will serve as playing team captain after US-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. beged off from participating due to terror threats in Tromso.

Barcenilla initially begged off three days ago, changed his mind a day later and begged off again to pave the way for Gonzales to play as alternate.

"We're here to just play for flag and country regardless of the condition," Gomez yesterday told The STAR.

The Phl's first round opponent will be known in Saturday's captain's meeting.