Wesley takes control

Wesley So

GRANDMASTER Wesley So started to distance himself from the rest of the field with a riveting victory over GM Roland Salvador on Sunday in the third round of the National Chess Championships: 4^th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club.

The 17-year-old pushed his total to 3.0 points, a full point ahead of his closest pursuers in the tournament supported by Pilipinas Shell, Manila Pavilion Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, NPC, Remate and Hataw.

Salvador, who was stuck at 0.5, appeared to be on his way to victory as So got passive in the opening of their Queen’s Gambit encounter.

But So controlled the center with a his rook, knight and passed pawn in the middle game to turn the table and put pressure on Salvador.

Salvador resigned after the 68^th move.

GM Rolando Barcenilla also provided fireworks in the third round with a resounding win over GM Eugene Torre.

Torre was forced to give up quality and lost to free up his cramped king-side, losing a huge amount of time in the process. Barcenilla was threatening for a checkmate when Torre’s clock flagged down after 57 moves of Ruy Lopez.

GM Darwin Laylo gained a piece of second to fifth places after toppling International Master Yves Ranola.

IM Richard Bitoon halved the point with GM Joseph Sanchez after 34 moves of Scandinavian while IMs Rolando Nolte and Oliver Barbosa agreed to a standoff after 34 moves of Petroff to to join Laylo at 2.0 points.

GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia shared sixth to ninth places with Torre and Barcenilla at 1.5 points.

Antonio beat GM Mark Paragua after 31 moves of Sicilian while Garcia forced a draw against GM John Paul Gomez after 100 moves of English Opening.

In the distaff side, Woman FIDE Master Cherry Ann Mejia grabbed the solo lead by beating Jedara Docena. Mejia remained perfect after three rounds.

Erstwhile co-leaders WFM Rulp Ylem Jose, Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna and Woman International Master Catherine Perena failed to keep pace after halving the point with their respective opponents.

Jose drew with Shania Mae Mendoza; Frayna split the point with Jenny Rose Palomo; and Perena agrred to a ceasefire opposite Mira Mirano.

WIM Beverly Mendoza also halved the point with WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego.

Photo credit: http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=4313