The chess world has witnessed a remarkable transformation in Filipino International Master (IM) Jem Garcia, who has earned a spot on the Philippine team for this September's World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Garcia's journey to the Olympiad began with a memorable draw against former world chess champion Magnus Carlsen in a tournament less than a month ago in Bangkok, Thailand.
In a majestic display at the Battle of the Grandmasters at the PACE in Quezon City, Garcia secured a spot on the Philippine team with an undefeated nine points on six wins and three draws, including a quick 10-move standoff with Grandmaster Darwin Laylo in the 13th and penultimate round.
With a round to go, Garcia virtually secured one of the three tickets to Samarkand, and could potentially top the tournament with another draw against WIM Ruelle Canino in the last round.
Half a point behind Garcia was Laylo, who could also secure a ticket to the Olympiad with a split in the final round versus Janelle Mae Frayna, the country's first and only Woman Grandmaster to date.
IM Michael Concio, Jr. zoomed to third with 7.5 points after shocking Olympiad veteran IM Paulo Bersamina in a 55-move Queen's Gambit duel.
GM Daniel Quizon stormed back into contention after smashing Phil Casiguran in 26 moves of a Sicilian showdown.
IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca's chances of reaching the Olympiad may have slipped away after succumbing to Frayna in 48 moves of an English Opening.
