Bitoon lifts RP over Paraguay

KHANTY-Mansiysk, Russia – Grandmaster-candidate Richard Bitoon rediscovered his old brilliance, starring for the Philippines as it edged Paraguay, 2.5-1.5, in the fourth round of the 39th World Chess Olympiad here.

Bitoon, a last-minute replacement for GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., played superbly with the white pieces to score a crushing victory over FM Eduardo Peralta in only 24 moves of the Sicilian Sveshnikov.

The multi-titled campaigner from Medellin, Cebu, hoping to achieve the elusive GM title this year, pummeled Peralta’s kingside defense with a pawn storm and unleashed a decisive queen and bishop attack to clinch the decisive victory for the 37th-seeded Filipinos.

The end came with Bitoon threatening to sustain an unstoppable kingside attack or capture Peralta’s unprotected knight on h5.

Bitoon’s morale-boosting win was the breakthrough for the Filipinos, who were held to draws in the three other boards by their lower-rated Paraguayan opponents.

GM Wesley So, playing on the top board for the fourth straight time, settled for a draw with IM Jose Fernando Cubas (Elo 2463) while GM John Paul Gomez, taking the place of GM Darwin Lalyo, halved the point with FM Manuel Latorre in 34 moves of the Indian defense.

GM Eugene Torre, the hero in the Philippines’ 2-2 draw with Scotland in the third round Friday, also failed to turn a slight initiative into a successful conclusion and managed only a draw with FM Guillermo Vasquez in 67 moves of the English opening.

But the close win over the 84th-seeded Paraguay was enough to propel the Philippines into a tie for 36th to 56th places with five points based on match point-style scoring system which gives two points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss.

Fifth-round action will pit the Philippines against No. 74 seed Uruguay, which toppled Tajikistan, 2.5-1.5, in the fourth round.

So plays top board anew against GM Andres Rodriguez Villa, Gomez meets FM Manuel Larrea, Torre battles IM Bernardo Roseli and Bitoon faces Alvaro Guerrero.  

In the women’s division, the Philippines caused a stir when it drew with Israel, 2-2, with Jedara Docena providing the lone win over WFM Mansel Efroinski on board four.

Cheradee Chardine Camacho drew with IM Masha Klinova, while Rulp Ylem Jose halved the point with WGM Ella Pitam.

Catherine Perena bowed to WGM Bella Igla.

The draw enabled the Filipinas to climb into a tie for 32nd to 40th places in the 115-team competition.

Next up for the NM Cesar Caturla-mentored Filipinas is No. 28 seed Argentina, which drew with England, 2-2.

Caturla is fielding Camacho against IM Carolina Lujan, WFM Shercila Cua against WGM Claudia Amura, Jose against WIM Marisa Zuriel and Docena against Maria Florencia Fernandez.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay lauded the performances of the Filipinos after four rounds of action in this prestigious 11-round team competition considered as the “Olympics” of chess.

“We’re in good position in both the men’s and women’s divisions after four rounds. Let’s hope our players continue to play well in the succeeding rounds,” said Pichay, who will leave for the Western Siberian region in time for the 81st FIDE Congress.

Accompanying the Filipinos during the two-week long tournament are NCFP executive/events director Willie Abalos, NCFP director and men’s team coach Atty. Edmundo Legaspi and Caturla.