By Kristel Satumbaga
The Philippines hopes to grab the solo lead when it clashes with Iran in the fourth round of the men’s division of the Asian Nations Online Chess Cup 2020 Friday.
The Filipinos, who have blitzed past Palestine, Syria and Thailand, have six match points to tie Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Iran. But they have the highest tiebreak among the four to cling on to the solo lead.
But the fourth seeded Agila ng Pilipinas will have their hands full against the Iranians who are ranked third in the event.
Grandmaster Banjo Barcenilla and International Master Paulo Bersamina are hoping to sustain their hot starts after winning their first three matches.
GMs Mark Paragua and John Paul Gomez have 2.5 points each on Boards 1 and 4, respectively.
Iran, meanwhile, has been drawing strength from GMs M. Amin Tabatabaei and Ehsan Ghaem Maghami, who have also won all their three outings on the lower boards.
In women’s action, the Lady Agilas tackle Kyrgyzstan with hopes of getting back on the winning track.
The Filipinos blew their winning chances against the second-seeded Indonesians and fell to a 2.5-1.5 loss and into a nine-way logjam at fifth with four points.
WIM Bernadette Galas has been the most productive among the lot with three points on board four while WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda has 2.5 on board two.
WGM Janelle Mae Frayna and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza have two points apiece.
