The Philippines, once teetering in 49th place with just two rounds remaining, staged an impressive comeback to secure the Group B gold medal at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, which concluded at the BOK Sports Hall.
Led by Shania Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna, Jodilyn Fronda, and Ruelle Canino, the Philippine women’s chess team dominated their last two matches, including a decisive 4-0 victory over Brazil in the final round. This performance catapulted them to a tie for 22nd place with 14 other teams, and they ultimately ranked 24th after tiebreak calculations. The gold medal was awarded to the Philippines in Group B, comprising nations ranked 35th to 70th based on ratings.
Proud moment for Philippine chess! Historic gold medal in Group B of the women's section and best finish in Olympiad history at 24th overall! Glorious day! #BudapestOlympiad pic.twitter.com/u8vIHB5npb
— Joey Villar (@JoeySVillar) September 22, 2024
According to a PhilStar report, this achievement marks the country’s first Chess Olympiad gold since 2006 when the women’s team won in Group C. It is also the best finish for the Philippines since 1988, when the women’s team placed 22nd in Thessaloniki, Greece.
National women’s team coach Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, and various supporters, calling the victory a “legacy in Philippine chess that will be remembered for a long time.”
The team’s success was aided by favorable circumstances, including key losses by other top competitors and a default by Iran due to political reasons. All five team members improved their ratings, with 16-year-old Ruelle Canino making the most significant leap, gaining 102 points in her debut.
Despite the women’s triumph, the Philippines’ men’s team fell short, finishing in 59th place. However, the gold medal by the women’s team stands as a shining moment for Philippine chess, bringing hope for further success in the future.
