We're still in March, the women's month. Let me put on spotlight the lone woman who has so far been the only Pinay who won a medal for the Philippines in the Chess Olympiad.
Also, please lend me your understanding for my survey about the outcome of the Battle of Grandmasters 2010 Women's Division, which was postponed to later date. I can no longer stop the survey since votes were already cast. But still, it's a poll worth a talk.
Okay, back to the main menu. Of the 13 appearances of the women's Philippine Team in the Chess Olympiad, our heroines have succeeded to bring home a bronze medal so far, courtesy of Rachel Pascua.
Whether Rachel Pascua is related to Haridas Pascua, I don't know. The only thing I'm sure about is that only she has reaped a medal from the world's ultimate team chess competition since the Women RP Team's first appearance in the competition in 1976.
That precious bronze medal was won during the Women RP Team's seventh apperance in the Olympiad in 1996 in Yerevan, Armenia when they placed 44th overall. By the way, their best finish (No.16) was during their maiden appearance in 1976. Their worst final ranking (No.64) was in 2002.
There was a story that Rachel learned chess at the age of 12. Then, just after a year, she already made it to the Philippine Team!!
In honor of the woman who made the Philippines proud in the world of chess in 1996, I am posting here the games of Rachel Pascua that won for the country a precious Chess Olympiad bronze medal.
The games of Rachel Pascua (Chess Olympiad 1996, Yerevan, Armenia)
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Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Rachel Pascua
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6 Comments:
She was 4th board behind Cristine Mariano, Susan Itaas and Imelda Flores. She garnered the bronze medal after winning the crucial last round against UAE (3-0). The opponent was also in contention for a medal.
They had intensive training for 2 months prior to the 1996 Yerevan Olympiad under then NM Bong Villamayor (who was at that time involved in the Philippine Sports Commission's developmental program for chess in the countryside grassroots initiative 1995-1998...eventually was recomended to be the coach of the women's team).
They were supported/sponsored by the late Odette Alcantara. They held the training in Alcantara's house.
Thank you very much indeed for the juicy information!!
Don't mention it sir...I am an avid fan of your blog together with Mr. Des Catolos' Chessheroes. I will try to fill in whatever I know when the topic needs information.
BUT, I will remain anonymous if it's ok with you...
thanks for your feature on wnm rachelle pascua. (correct spelling). she is not related to haridas pascua. she was a bs philosophy graduate of up diliman and was once up diliman collegiate women board 1 player. she has 2 brother chess players cyrus ian pascua (also played for up diliman) and robert pascua.
i happened to have trained rachelle personally for some time.
thanks again.
nm / ia erwin l. carag
Thank you very much, Sir Erwin!! Hope to hear more from you!! May you have more female trainees - a good chance again for the RP to produce a medal in the Olympiad, a gold this time!!! Go Sir!!
Hi Rusticbull! This is Rachelle Pascua. First of all, thank you for writing a blog about myself. I am really humbled & I really appreciate it. NM Erwin Carag & Anonymous both gave you the right information. I became a member of the Philippine team in 1992 (Manila) & 1996 (Yerevan, Armenia). In 1996, that's where we got the bronze medal.
I am currently no longer playing in chess tournaments, but would definitely love to be able to play again. I would like to send my well wishes to our Philippine Chess Team & all the chess players that I know. For you Rusticbull, I wish you good luck & I hope you would continue to inspire more chess players & more people.
-Rachelle Pascua 01/18/2011
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