RP men’s team bounces back, beats Algeria in Chess Olympiad

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines came back from its opening day loss against China when it scored a victory against Algeria on Saturday in the 2008 World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. Grandmaster Darwin Laylo scored the only win in the Philippines’ 2.5-1.5 triumph over Algeria in the tournament that is being held at the International Congress Center. Laylo, playing in his third straight Olympiad after representing the Philippines in Calvia, Spain in 2004 and Turin, Italy two years ago, downed IM Mohamed Haddouche in board four. The other Filipinos – GMs Buenaventura “Bong" Villamayor and Wesley So and International Master John Paul Gomez – all agreed to a draw against their opponents to make sure the Philippines gets two points under the new match point-style scoring system that is being used for the first time in the 38th edition of the tournament. Villamayor drew with GM Aimen Rizouk at the top board, So did the same against IM Kamil Sebih in 30 moves of a Queen’s Indian on board two and Gomez followed suit against Tarek Goutali in 36 moves of the Philidor on board three. The victory put the Philippines in the win column after absorbing a 2.5-1.5 defeat against China on Thursday. While the Filipinas were able to post a draw in their opening match, they suffered a 3-1 loss against Greece in the second round. – GMANews.TV