Two Pinoy chess masters score big at SUBIC chess open tilt

SUBIC - Two Filipino chess masters rose to the occasion at the 10th round of the Philippine International Open chess tournament at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

However, "Battle of the GMs" champion and youngest Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Wesley So is lagging behind as he could only score a draw against Indon IM Sadikin Irwanto Tuesday.

"Returnee" Grandmaster (GM) Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor defeated GM Susanto Megaranto in 54 moves using the old Indian defense.

"I was trying to make the advantage bigger while he committed several inaccuracies," Villamayor said.

In beating the Indonesian GM, the 41-year-old Villamayor climbed a mark for a total of 7 points. He is closing in on second ranked Li Chao of China, who has a total of 7.5 points after splitting a point with Iranian GM Morteza Mahjoob.

Filipino GM candidate Julio Catalino "Ino" Sadorra also scored big when he outclassed GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam in 52 moves using the white pieces.

Like Villamayor, he went a notch higher to 7 points.

"Actually I didn’t expect it to be easy. From the start, he had a wrong opening, so I didn’t let go of the advantage until I beat him," said the 21-year old International Master (IM).

Sadorra said he will try to get a good night’s rest to fully prepare for the 11th and final round on Wednesday.


The last round on Wednesday will be very crucial as a win or a draw could make a big difference in the final standings.

The 14-year old So, meanwhile, decided to split the point with IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia after 35 moves. This gave him half a point for a total of 6.5.

The tournament leader is Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem, who garnered a total of 8 points at the 10th round after beating Indonesian IM Dede Liu.

Chinese Zhou Weiqi moved to second rank with Chao at 7.5 after beating GM Rogelio Antonio.

The competition is participated by several countries, such as Iran, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and China, with players likewise aiming for the Grandmaster's Title.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) organized this year’s event under President Prospero "Butch" Pichay, and secretary-general, Tagaytay Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino. It is supported by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

At stake is US$40,000 in total cash prizes. The champion pockets the top prize of US$6,000.

The runner-up and the third-placer will receive US$5,000 and US$4,000, respectively.

Cash prizes will be given up to the 32nd placers, as well as the top three women and top three juniors.

The tournament will end on May 14. It will be immediately followed by the Third Philippine Open which is slated from May 16-23. By DENNIS GASGONIA abs-cbnNEWS.com