Samarkand: The Philippine women's team secured its second win after dominating Syria, 3.5-.5, Thursday night in Round 2 of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Mhage Sebastian, Jan Jodilyn Fronda, and Shania Mae Mendoza won boards one, three, and four, while Ruelle Canino managed a draw with Manar Khalil on board two. The Filipinas had previously defeated their Malawi rivals 4-0 in Round 1.

According to Philippines News Agency, national team coach and National Chess Federation secretary-general GM Jayson Gonzales commented on the increasing difficulty of the competition, stating, "The field is getting harder and harder each round." Janelle Mae Frayna, the country's first and only Woman GM, is anticipated to play in Round 3 against Hungary after being rested in the first two rounds. Frayna is set to face IM Szidonia Lazarne-Vajda on the second board, while Sebastian will continue to handle the top board. Fronda is scheduled to take on IM Nomin-Erdene Davaadembere on board three, with Shania Mae Mendoza clashing with WIM Kata Karaksonyi on board four.

In contrast, the men's team faced a setback, losing to seventh seed Azerbaijan, 1-3. International Masters Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia managed to split the points with Grandmasters Aydin Suleymanli and Eltaj Safarli on boards two and four, respectively. However, IM Michael Concio Jr. and GM Daniel Quizon were defeated by GMs Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Mahammad Muradli on boards one and three.

The Philippines previously placed 59th in the men's division, with the women's team securing the Category B gold medal and finishing 24th two years ago in Budapest, Hungary. In an encouraging move, NCFP deputy president for Mindanao and Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. has pledged PHP1 million if the Philippines finishes in the Top 10 or PHP500,000 for a Top 20 finish.