Rom boosts hopes

MANILA, Philippines — Jasper Rom drew with Szymon Kasperczyk of Poland and got his sixth-round loss to Zarko Selkovski of Macedonia overturned into a win to keep his and the Philippine team’s chances for a podium finish alive in the individual and team event of the World Chess Championship for People with Disabilities Friday.

The Singapore-based ASEAN and Asian Para Games gold medalist has a total of 6.5 points after eight rounds for a share of eighth spot.

He was a full point behind solo leader Sargis Sargissyan of Armenia with 7.5 points and half a point behind a six-player group at second spot with six points.

Rom would need to beat Marcin Molenda of Poland in the final round at press time to have a chance at a medal finish.