Manila, Sept. 17 -- The Philippines kicked off its campaign in the 46th World Chess Olympiad on a high note Wednesday at the Silk Road International Exhibition Center in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Michael Concio Jr., Pau Bersamina, Daniel Quizon and Jem Garcia prevailed over their Togolese rivals, 4-0, in the men's division while Mhage Sebastian, Ruelle Canino, Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Shania Mae Mendoza won over their opponents from Malawi with the same score.

Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and Woman GM Janelle Mae Frayna are expected to lead their respective teams in the second round.

The Philippines, ranked No. 57 among 208 nations, will face seventh seed Azerbaijan in the men's division, while the Filipinas, seeded No. 42 among 190 countries, ...