THE Philippines’ men’s and women’s teams go into action in the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijian Friday night seeking to improve on their performance two years ago.
Once more, the men’s team is without a key player as national champion Joey Antonio opted to compete in Malaysia, which is held almost the same time as the Olympiad.
In the 2014 Olympiad in Tromso, Wesley So sat out, saying he wanted to play for the US.
So, who just won the Sinquefield Cup ahead of many of the world’s top players, is playing board three for the US team, which is seeking to dethrone China as the defending champion.
US-based Ino Sadorra will man first board, just as he did in 2014, followed by John Paul Gomez, Eugene Torre, Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. and Paulo Bersamina.
But for the team’s first-round clash with Jersey, Gomez, Torre, Barcenilla and Bersamina will suit up.
The team finished in 46th place two years ago without So and then no. 2 Oliver Barbosa.
Janelle Mae Frayna, who missed winning the world junior championship and settled for fifth place, leads the women’s squad. She is backed up by Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Catherine Perena Secopito, Cristy Lamiel Bernales and Shania Mae Mendoza.
The team finished in 64th place last year.
The first board two years ago, Cheradee Camacho, has quit playing and finished her computer science degree with honors in Texas.
Frayna, Fronda, Bernales and Secopito see action in Round 1 vs Netherlands Antilles.
All eyes will be on Frayna, graduating with honors in psychology at FEU, as she led the world juniors in Round 10 before losing twice and drawing her last round game. Had she won the tournament, Frayna would have become the country’s first woman grandmaster.
Torre and Secopito are celebrating Olympiad milestones. Torre is on his 22nd Olympiad, while Secopito is on her sixth, the most by any Filipina.