Gold Galore in Paralympics

Filipino chessers competing in the 3rd SEA Paralympic Games are doing what their "normal" counterparts failed to do: win gold!

The Manila Times informs us that Pinoy players have bagged both the individual and team gold for the visually handicapped and totally blind classification sections.

National Master Henry Lopez scored 5 points for the gold in the BI category, relegating Indonesians Eddy Suryanto and Maksum Firdaus, who each had 4 points, to second and third, respectively.

Lopez’s golden triumph anchored the squad also composed of FIDE Master Sander Severino and Alexis Elinon to the team championship in the category.

The tally of gold medals by the handicapped Pinoy woodpushers means that RP has now managed to win 5 out of the 6 chess events.

National coach, GM Antonio was quoted as saying, "I’m really proud of them despite their disabilities but the team is very determine to sweep the remaining three golds in this event of the Asean Paralympics Games".