by Kristel Satumbaga
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez bowed to Mongolian International Master Sumiya Bilguun in the sixth round Friday and dropped into a share of fourth place in the Eastern Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
It was Gomez’s first defeat, slipping into a crowded fourth to 14th places with 4 points on three wins, and two draws.
IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam took the solo lead with five points following a win over Mongolian FIDE Master Urtnasan Nasanjargal.
IMs Paulo Bersamina and John Marvin Miciano also succumbed to their Mongolian rivals to remain at 3 points for 20th to 32nd places. Bersamina lost to GM Bazar Khatanbaatar while Miciano yielded to Tsegmed Batchuluun.
In the distaff side, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna finally nailed her first victory at the expense of Davaakhuu Munkhzul of Mongolia to improve to 3 points on one win, one loss and four draws.
Frayna is now tied for 18th to 22nd places that included Woman FIDE Master Shania Mendoza, who lost to Vietnamese WGM Nguyen Thu Thanh An.
Frayna and Mendoza trail co-leaders IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul and WFM Turmunkh Munkhzul of Mongolia by two points.
