WIM Kylen Joy Mordido provided the lone bright spot in the Philippines’ semifinal defeat to Southeast Asian rival Indonesia in the Asian Nations Cup 2020 women’s online chess championship on Saturday.
Mordido outwitted WIM Dita Karenza for the Filipinas’ lone victory against the Indonesians in their two-round semifinal encounter in the prestigious event hosted by the Asian Chess Federation.
Mordido, the 18-year-old pride of Dasmariñas, Cavite, defeated Karenza in 43 moves despite handling the disadvantageous black pieces.
WIM Shania Mae Mendoza split the point with Chelsie Monica Ignesias Sihite on board three despite enjoying an early positional advantage.
The Indonesians struck with victories by IM Irine Kharisma Sukandar over WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and IM Warda Medina Aulia over WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda.
Earlier, the Indonesians edged the Filipinas, 2.5-1.5,in the first round with Sihite pulling off the much-needed victory over WIM Bernadette Galas in their board three showdown.
Frayna, Fronda and Mordido all drew their matches on boards one, two and four.
The GM Jayson Gonzales-coached Philippine team earned the right to play in the semis after back-to-back 3.5-.5 victories over No 7 seed Sri Lanka in the quarterfinal round last Friday.
Indonesia earned the right to meet the Philippines by eliminating third seed Iran in another thrilling quarterfinal duel.
In the men’s division, the GM Mark Paragua-led Philippines missed the semis.
The Filipinos finished second in the qualifying stage, but absorbed a crushing setback at the hands of Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals Friday.
The Kazakhs defeated the Filipinos,4-0, in the first round and 3-1, in the second round.
A fitting consolation was the three individual medals won by IM Paulo Bersamina (gold), GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. (silver) and Fronda (bronze).
The moves:
D. Karenza (Indonesia) vs. K.Mordido (Philippines)
1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.Na3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Qd8 6.Be2 Nf6 7.O-O e6 8.Nc2 Be7 9.d4 O-O 10.Bg5 Nd5 11.Bxe7 Qxe7 12.dxc5 Qxc5 13.Ncd4 Nf4 14.Qd2 Nxd4 15.cxd4 Qf5 16.g3 Nxe2+ 17.Qxe2 Bd7 18.Ne5 Be8 19.Rac1 f6 20.Nc4 Bc6 21.Rfe1 Kh8 22.Rc3 Qh3 23.f3 Rae8 24.Nd6 Re7 25.Ne4 Rfe8 26.Nf2 Qh5 27.Kg2 Qd5 28.Qc4 Qa5 29.a3 Qf5 30.Qc5 Bd5 31.Qxa7 h5 32.h4 e5 33.dxe5 Rxe5 34.Rxe5 Rxe5 35.Qb8+ Kh7 36.Qd6 Re2 37.Qb4 Bc6 38.b3 Qb1 39.Qc5 Re5 40.Qf8 Re1 41.Qf7 Rg1+ 42.Kh2 Qf1 43.Qxh5+ Kg8 0-1
