Filipino chessers finish 32nd

The Philippines downed Panama, 3-1, in the 11th and final round to settle for a Category B bronze medal in the men’s division of the just concluded 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan Sunday night.

International Master Pau Bersamina and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo provided the needed victories on boards two and four, respectively, while IMs Michael Concio Jr. and Jem Garcia drew their respective matches on boards one and three to seal the bronze.

In all, the Filipinos, who were financed by the Philippine Sports Commission, finished 32nd with 14 match points and the third best finisher in Category B, behind eventual gold and silver winners Vietnam and Mongolia.

It was the second straight medal for the Philippines in the biennial meet after claiming a Category B gold in the women’s side in the last edition in Budapest, Hungary two years ago.