Bitoon strikes; Nolte, So draw match

(Men’s)

Individual standings after Round 5:

4.5 points – GM Wesley So
3.5 points – GM Darwin Laylo, IM Richard Bitoon
3.0 points – GM Eugene Torre, IM Rolando Nolte, IM Oliver Barbosa
2.5 points – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua, GM John Paul Gomez
2.0 points – GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
1.5 points – GM Rogelio Barcenilla
1 point – GM Roland Salvador
0.5 point – IM Yves Ranola

(Women’s)

Individual standings after Round 4:

3.5 points – WIM Catherine Perena, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WNM Janelle Mae Frayna
3.0 points – WFM Rulp Ylem Jose
2.0 points – WIM Beverly Mendoza, WNM Jedara Docena, WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda
1.5 points – Mira Mirano
1.0 point – Shania Mae Mendoza, Rowelyn Joy Acedo
0.5 point---WFM Marie Antoinnette San Diego, WNM Jenny Rose Palomo

INTERNATIONAL Master Richard Bitoon made his move Monday night in his bid to collect a GM norm in the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the historic National Press Club.

The pride of Medellin, Cebu manhandled Grandmaster Roland Salvador in their Sicilian Skirmish duel to gain a share of second place in the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

More importantly, he pushed his total to 3.5 points after five rounds. He needs just five more points in the last eight games to get his second GM norm.

GM Darwin Laylo held on for a share of second by salvaging a draw against GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio in their Caro Kann Defense game.

“Mahaba pa ang laban pero malaking bagay sa kumpiyansa ko ‘yung manalo sa early rounds,” said Bitoon, who overwhelmed IM Yves Ranola in the first round and drew his next three matches.

IM Rolando Nolte also boosted his chances to get a second GM norm by ending Grandmaster Wesley So’s perfect start in the round robin event supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

So countered Nolte’s King’s Pawn Opening with Caro Kann Defense, leading to a heated battle for center pawn. They eventually settled for a draw in their queen and pawn endgame.

The 17-year-old remained firmly on top with 4.5 points while Nolte shared fourth to sixth places with GM Eugene Torre and IM Oliver Barbosa.

Torre handed Ateneo junior standout IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia his first loss in their English Opening encounter while Barbosa, who is also eyeing his second GM norm, halved the point with GM John Paul Gomez in their Slav Defense game.

GM Mark Paragua notched his first win in the tournament at the expense of GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla, Jr. to gain a piece of seventh to ninth places with Antonio and Gomez.

GM Joseph Sanchez also got going with a victory over Ranola in their Modern Defense duel.