Grandmaster John Paul Gomez remained undefeated after three rounds for a share of the lead with Mongolian FIDE Master Urtnasan Nasanjargal in the Eastern Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Gomez toppled teammate International Master Paulo Bersamina to hike his tally to 3 points with early victories from IM John Marvin Miciano and GM Bazar Khatanbaatar.
The 32-year-old Gomez, however, will be put to test when he faces fellow pacesetter Nasanjargal, who walloped compatriot Badrakh Galmandakh following back-to-back wins over Vietnames foes FM Dang Hoang Son and GM Nguyen Duc Hoa.
Bersamina’s loss to Gomez, meanwhile, put him at 2 points after winning his first two matches against Mongolian rivals.
Miciano, for his part, drew with Mongolia’s Tserenpeljee Altanbayar for 1.5 points at 19th to 31st places.
In women’s side, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna posted her third straight draw against Mongolian Erdenebar Margadgua for 1.5 points, 1.5 points behind solo leader FM Ochirkhuyag Ulziikhishigjargal also of Mongolia.
Woman FIDE Master Shaina Mae Mendoza was not far behind with 1 point after splitting the point with hometown bet Davaakhuu Unurzul.