Philippine juniors champion Jeth Romy Morado shocked second seed Grandmaster Venkataraman Karthik of India yesterday to zoom to a share of third after seven rounds of the Asian Juniors Chess Championships in Solo, Indonesia.
Morado, 19, needed just 30 minutes to outplay Karthik, who blundered away his queen that allowed the Far Eastern University standout to register one of the fastest wins in this nine-round tournament staking three slots to the World Juniors set in October in New Delhi, India.
The win also sent Morado to a joint No. 3 with Indonesian FIDE Master Catur Adi Sagita with five points apiece.
Meanwhile, IMs Daniel Quizon and John Marvin Miciano drew in 20 moves of a Caro-kann to stay in a four-player tie at fifth spot with 4.5 points apiece.
In the girls’ side, WIM Kylen Joy Mordido dumped Malaysian Chua Jia Tien to jump to a share of sixth with 4.5 points. (Kristel Satumbaga)
