Mendoza leads PH to 4-0 win over Jordan in Chess Olympiad

Manila: Filipino top board player Shania Mae Mendoza defeated Natalie Fuad Kamel Jamaliah in 41 moves of the Sicilian Defense to lead the Philippines to a 4-0 win over Jordan in the third round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad at BOK Sports Hall in Budapest, Hungary on Friday. In other results, Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna beat Arafat Serina, Woman International Master (WIM) Jan Jodilyn Fronda downed Alshaeby Boshra and Bernadette Galas prevailed over Al-Qudah Ruba as the Philippines barged into the top three with four points. National women's coach GM Jayson Gonzales assigned Mendoza to play on board one to allow Frayna and Fronda more scoring chances in the lower boards. Mendoza, a FIDE Master, has already earned 2.5 points, including a draw with American IM Gulrukhbegim Tohirjonova in the second round. 'She's been doing great,' Gonzales said of the 26-year-old Mendoza, the pride of the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna. In the men's division, the Philippines bounced back from its second-round lo ss to Germany with a 3.5-0.5 victory over Madagascar. IM Paulo Bersamina conquered Toavina Razanadrakotoarisoa on board two, GM John Paul Gomez won over Heritiana Andrianiaina on board three and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia beat Miora Andriamasoandro on board four. GM Julio Catalino Sadorra settled for a draw with Fy Antenaina Rakotomaharo on board one after 30 moves of the Catalan via repetition. 'I didn't want to force it, I think a draw was enough for the team,' the US-based Sadorra, who turned 37 the day before, said. Meanwhile, IM Daniel Quizon is expected to play on board two when the Philippines faces Monaco. The 20-year-old Quizon, needing only two Elo points to reach the required 2500 rating to become a Grandmaster, did not see action in the third round. (PNA) Source: Philippines News Agency