by Kristel Satumbaga
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez was held to a draw by Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto but remained tied for the lead after five rounds in the Eastern Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
It was the second straight draw for Gomez who improved his tally to 4 points – he posted three wins – the same records of Megaranto, Mongolian FIDE Master Urtnasan Nasanjargal and Vietnamese International Master Nguyen Van Huy.
Nasanjargal split the point with Mongolian GM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa while Nguyen toppled FM Tsedvee Lkhagvasuren also of Mongolia.
Gomez next faces IM Sumiya Bilguun of Mongolia, who currently has 3.5 points.
IM Paulo Bersamina and IM John Marvin Miciano also settled for draws against their opponents for identical 3 points at 11th to 23rd places.
