The Philippines threw away its chance of shocking Southeast Asian powerhouse Indonesia as it absorbed a 2.5-1.5 loss to slip out of the lead after three rounds in the women’s division of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 Sunday.
Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza squandered a one-piece advantage and bowed to Woman International Master Chelsie Monica Ignesias Sihite on fourth board, while Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna blew a practically drawn game in a defeat to IM Irine Sukandar on top board.
WIM Bernadette Galas delivered the lone victory for the Filipinas at the expense of WIM Dita Karenza on board four while WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda split the point with IM Medina Warda Aulia on board two.
The second seeded Indonesians remained in the top three along with the Vietnamese and Iranian squads with six match points apiece while the Lady Agilas sputtered to an eight-way logjam at sixth with four points.
The Philippines, coached and captained by GM Jayson Gonzales, routed United Arab Emirates and Iraq with 4-0 results and looked headed to upsetting a fancied Indonesia.
The Filipinas, however, cracked under pressure.
The country though is still on track in claiming one of the eight slots to the knockout playoff round as women’s action resumes Saturday.