CANDIDATE Master Calvin Prasad stunned the participants during the 40th World Chess Olympiad at Istanbul, Turkey after holding onto a grandmaster.
CM Prasad displayed a brilliant performance to hold highly-rated (rating 2540) Grandmaster Oscar de la Riva Aguado to a draw after 34 moves in board 1.
Despite his gallant effort, the national men's chess team was unable to beat Andorra, ranked 88 in the world on Monday.
National team captain Doctor Virgilio de Asa was satisfied with the team's performance at the Olympiad. He particularly heaped praise on CM Prasad's consistent display of attacking chess and his serious attitude on his game preparations before each match.
Dr de Asa added the national champion was not intimated by his titled opponents.
"CM Prasad showed a mastery of his Reti Opening and launched a well co-ordinated attack, forcing the grandmaster to exchange his queen with two rooks to try to soften the onslaught," he said.
"Grandmaster Aguado eventually agreed to split the point."
In the fifth round, the men's team narrowly lost to Aruba, 1.5-2.5.
"CM Sanmogam Goundar had a winning game but his opponent was able to defend and forced the exchange of pieces and had to settle for a draw with opposite coloured-bishops," Dr de Asa said.
"Goru Arvind on the other hand had a good game and prevailed in board four."
Meanwhile, the women's team finally found their rhythm when they managed to hold Pakistan to a 2-2 draw.
"WFM Kieran Prasad Lyons accounted for her opponent with rook advantage in board 1, while promising young player Cydel Kabrina Terubea registered her first point in the Olympiad."
The seventh round of the competition was being played when this edition when to press last night.