Concio, Sebastian book Chess Olympiad berths

MANILA, Philippines — International Master Michael Concio, Jr. and Mhage Sebastian will make their World Chess Olympiad debuts this September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Concio made it to the team by claiming the last of three slots in the men’s team by finishing third in the Battle of the Grandmasters that concluded Thursday night at the PACE in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Sebastian, an FEU standout and native of Flora, Apayao, bested Allaney Doroy in 62 moves of a King’s Indian Attack in the 14th and final round to top the women’s Olympiad qualifier with nine points.

IM Jem Garcia, who drew with former world champion Magnus Carlsen in Bangkok, Thailand last month, topped the Battle of GMs with 9.5 points while GM Darwin Laylo wound up second with nine points, half point ahead of Concio.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines will decide who will make up the last two members of the team.

Shania Mae Mendoza, who halved the point with Cherry Ann Mejia in the last round, finished second to punch the last ticket to Samarkand.

Sebastian and Mendoza joined Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman GM to date, Ruelle Canino and Jan Jodilyn Fronda in the women’s squad seeking to improve on a Category B gold in the last edition in Budapest, Hungary two years ago.