Torre stays in the hunt

(Men’s)

Individual standings after Round 5:

5.0 – GM Wesley So
4.0 – GM Darwin Laylo, GM Eugene Torre, IM Oliver Barbosa
3.5 – IM Richard Bitoon, IM Rolando Nolte

3.0 – GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Mark Paragua
2.5 – GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM John Paul Gomez, GM Joseph Sanchez, IM Jan Emmanuel
1.5 – GM Roland Salvador
0.5 point – IM Yves Ranola

GRANDMASTER Eugene Torre flashed the form made him the country’s most decorated chess player to stay in the hunt in the National Chess Championship: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the historic National Press Club.

Torre, who turns 60 late this year, defeated one of the sport’s rising stars in GM John Paul Gomez after 32 moves of Queen’s Pawn Opening yesterday to gain a share of second place with International Master Oliver Barbosa and GM Darwin Laylo.

Gomez resigned after Torre cornered his knight. Torre earlier made a couple of sacrifices to gain a positional advantage before launching a sustained attack.

Barbosa enhanced his chances to get a GM norm with a 78-move victory over IM Yves Ranola in their Reti encounter while Laylo halved the point with GM Roland Salvador after 31 moves of French.

The three tote similar 4.0 points after six games in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw (JSY Publication).

Grandmaster Wesley So missed a winning line against fellow teenager IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia to settle for another draw – his second straight after four straight wins – but remained a full point ahead of his closest pursuers with 5.0 points.

“Hindi pa nakakasiguro si Wesley,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. 

IMs Rolando Nolte and Richard Bitoon shared fifth to sixth places at 3.5 points.

Nolte survived the relentless attack of GM Mark Paragua to salvage a draw after 46 moves of Sicilian while Bitoon dropped a match for the first time in the round robin event, losing to GM Rolando Barcenilla, Jr. after 38 moves of Queen’s Pawn London System.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and GM Joseph Sanchez had an uneventful draw after 30 moves of Caro Kann to complete the men’s results.

 In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena topped Shania Mendoza to grab the solo lead after five rounds.

Defending champion Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose and reigning national junior GU-20 champion Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna shared second to third places. Jose won over erstwhile co-leader WFM Cherry Ann Mejia while Frayna, graduating high school student at FERN-FEU, halved the point with Jedara Docena.

WIM Beverly Mendoza kept the frontrunners in sight with another victory, this time claiming the scalp of Rowelyn Acedo for her third point.

In other matches, WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego finally scored a victory in her debut in the national championship by taking down Mira Mirano while Jan Jodilyn Fronda nipped Jenny Palomo.

Photo credit: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173830/vintage-torre-goes-to-work-in-pichay-chessfest