The Philippines survived Nicaragua, 2.5-1.5, to stay unscathed in the women’s division even as the men’s team sustained a 3-1 loss to fancied Azerbaijan after two rounds of the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India Saturday night.
Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza delivered crucial victories over Woman International Master Maria Esther Granados Diaz and Patricia Alvarez Gutierrez on boards one and three, respectively, while WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda drew with Michelle Ferrifino on second board to complete the win.
Only WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego suffered the lone defeat at the hands of Maria Jose Granados Ortiz on fourth board.
The triumph kept the 39th-seeded Filipinas’ place at the helm alongside 39 other countries with four match points apiece.
They battle the 18th-ranked Serbians in the third round Sunday night.
Meanwhile, GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez averted a shutout to the sixth-seeded Azeris by holding Rauf Mamedov and Vasif Durarbayli to fighting draws on boards one and three.
GM Banjo Barcenilla and IM Paulo Bersamina, however, suffered stinging defeats to Gadir Guseinov and Nijat Abasov on boards two and four.
The setback sent the Filipinos, whose trip is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, in a heavy 65-nation logjam at No. 48 with two match points.
But they would have a chance to bounce back strong as they tackle a lower-ranked Cyprus next with GM Darwin Laylo replacing Bersamina in the roster.