Hangzhou – Filipino para chess players are setting the pace in three divisions in both individual and team standings in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games chess tournament.
According to a news release by the Philippines News Agency, International Chess Federation (FIDE) Master Sander Severino, Atty. Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, and Menandro Redor emerged as front-runners after the fifth round of standard events in the men's and women's Physically Impaired (PI) and B1-B2 (Blind) categories, respectively.
Severino, a quadruple gold medalist in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games, beat fellow Filipino Henry Roger Lopez in a match backed by the Philippine Sports Commission. Both players have accumulated 3.5 points each, but Severino leads due to the winner-over-the-other rule. Infiesto reported that the top two Filipino players in the category have amassed seven points, placing them a half-point ahead of the Indonesian team.
Mendoza, a recent bar passer who took a break from law to focus on her chess career, maintains her lead with 3.5 points despite a loss to Indonesia's Nasip Farta Simanja. Her teammate Cheryl Angot defeated Indonesian Rachel Aby Sharon, bringing her total to three points. Together, they keep the Philippines on top in their division with six points, a half-point ahead of the Indonesian team.
In the men's B1-B2 division, Menandro Ridor drew with Iranian Khosgani Amir Rabbi, raising his score to 3.5 points. Armand Subaste fought Indonesia's Gangooli Kishan to a draw, bringing his score to three points. Ridor and Subaste, with a total of 6.5 points, are a full point ahead in their category.
"The sixth round will be critical for us but so far we are in a promising position in all three categories," Infiesto stated. The final outcome will be determined after the seventh and last round on Thursday morning.
Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo made a surprise visit to the team, offering words of encouragement. He reminded the athletes of their stellar performance in the 2018 Games, urging them to display the same mental fortitude.
The strong showing by the PH para chess players stands in stark contrast to the disappointing performances of other Filipino athletes in the games. Notable among these was the disqualification of taekwondo athlete Allain Ganapin in the men's -80kg quarterfinals and below-par showings in other disciplines.