By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Grandmaster Joey Antonio and FIDE Master Mari Joseph Turqueza turned back their respective opponents in the third round to forge a four-way tie for the lead in the “Road To Batumi” chess championships at the Alphaland Makati Place on Monday.
Antonio bested Rolando Andador after 32 moves of Pirc Defense while Turqueza needed 37 moves of a Slav Defense to outplay International Master Paul Bersamina.
The wins improved Antonio and Turqueza’s record to to 2.5 points – the same records of early leaders Jeth Morado and IM Jan Immanuel Garcia, who drew with GM John Paul Gomez and IM Richelieu Salcedo III, respectively.
IM Haridas Pascua grabbed solo second with 2 points following a victory over FM Roberto Suelo Jr., while Gomez and Salcedo trailed behind at 1.5 points.
In the women’s side, Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego and Woman FIDE Master Allaney Jia Doroy downed separate foes in the second round to join WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza on top with identical 1.5 points.
San Diego downed WIM Mikee Charlene Suede after 51 moves of a Modern Defense while Doroy outplayed WFM Michelle Yaon in 43 moves of a Reti Opening.
Yaon slipped from the top with 1 point along with WIM Catherine Secopito and Jerlyn Mae San Diego.
