By Kristel Satumbaga
The Philippines rode on the incredible victory by Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda over IM Guliskhan Nakhbayeva on Board 2 on the way to a stunning 2.5-1.5 win over third seed Kazakhstan for a quarterfinal berth in the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 on Monday.
Fronda was one piece down in what looked like a hopeless position before Nakhbayeva fell into time trouble thus scoring the much-needed victory for the PH side.
WIM Bernadette Galas trounced Woman FIDE Master Meruert Kamalidonva on Board 4 while Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna drew with FM Bibisara Assaubayeva on board one to seal the deal.
WFM Shania Mae Mendoza was the lone casualty after succumbing to WGM Gulmira Dauletova on board three.
With the triumph, the Lady Agilas finished with 13 match points for joint second with Iran but clinched the second seeding due to a superior tiebreak score.
They arranged a meeting with No. 7 Sri Lanka in the knockout quarters on Friday.
India, which routed the PH squad in the seventh round, 3-1, lived up to its billing by ruling the nine-round eliminations with 16 points to set up a duel with No. 8 Kyrgyzstan.
No. 3 Iran faces No. 6 Indonesia, while No. 4 Vietnam tackles No. 5 Mongolia.
The stunning final round win came after the PH side eked out a 2-2 draw with Mongolians – thanks to Frayna who was awarded the full points via forfeiture against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul.
The Mongolian was penalizedfor violating tournament regulations that video cameras must be turned on all the time.
Fronda bowed to WIM Bayarjargal Bayarmaa while Galas and Mendoza halved the point with WFMs Davaakhu Munkhul and Boldbaatar Altantuya.
