GRANDMASTER Darwin Laylo and International Master John Paul Gomez downed
their rivals as the Philippines edged Monaco 2.5-1.5 in the third round of the
2008 Chess Olympiad Saturday at the International Congress Center in Dresden,
Germany.
Laylo, playing Board 4, chalked up his second victory in as many games by
beating Jean-Philippe Gentilleau.
The Filipinos, who bowed to China in the opener and came back with a win over
Algeria in the second round, are in 57th spot with 6.5 points.
Powerhouse Armenia is unbeaten and sits atop the leaderboard (11.0 points)
while Germany 1 is running second (10.0). England is in solo third (9.5)
followed by India and Romania (9.0).
Top seed Russia is also unbeaten and is in sixth spot (8.5).
Gomez, who had drawn his first two games, finally scored a win at the expense
of Roman Krulich.
GM Bong Villamayor still has to come up with a victory on Board 1, bowing
this time to GM Igor Efimov, while Jayson Gonzales drew with Fide Master Patrick
Van Hoolandt.
The Philippines next takes on Greece, which is coming off draws against the
US and France and is running 24th
