The Philippine women’s team continued to show strong form as it overpowered Syria, 3.5-.5, Thursday night to remain unbeaten and on top in a heavy 44-nation logjam after two rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre.

Mhage Sebastian, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Shania Mae Mendoza overpowered their respective foes on boards one, three and four while Ruelle Canino managed a draw with Manar Khalil on board two to keep the Filipinas in contention for a top 10 finish with four match points to show.

The result came a day after the Nationals waylaid the Malawians, 4-0, in the opening round but it is expected to be tougher from here on for the former.

“The field is getting harder and harder each round,” national team coach and National Chess Federation secretary-general GM Jayson Gonzales said.

Janelle Mae Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman GM to date, has been unleashed after being rested in the first two rounds.

Frayna, who just came from a pair of two national titles in Malolos, Bulacan and Alicia, Isabela, will have her hands full though as she is expected to clash with IM Szidonia Lazarne-Vajda on second board.

Sebastian will continue to handle the top board after showing excellent form in the first two rounds while Fronda was taking on IM Davaademberel on board three and Shania Mae Mendoza clashing with WIM Kata Karaksonyi on board four.

Not as lucky though was the men’s team, which succumbed to No. 7 Azerbaijan, 3-1.

International Masters Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia halved the point with Grandmasters Aydin Suleymanli and Eltaj Safarli on boards two and four, respectively, whileIM Michael Concio, Jr. and GM Daniel Quizon lost to GMs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Mahammad Muradli on boards one and three.