By Kristel Satumbaga
International Master John Marvin Miciano stunned Grandmaster Vyacheslav Ikonnikov of Russia in the fifth round and clinched the solo lead in the 22nd Hogeschool Zeeland chess tournament in Vlissingen, Netherlands on Tuesday.
Playing black, the 17-year-old Miciano initiated an aggressive attack to topple the fifth-seeded Ikonnikov in 62 moves of a King’s Indian Defense.
Miciano’s win – his fifth straight – was a fitting sequel to his huge win over sixth pick GM Zheng Chongsheng in the fourth round.
Miciano’s strength and maturity will be tested in the sixth round when he plays Argentinean GM Sandro Mareco, who currently trails behind him along with four others at second with 4.5 points.
Mareco is coming off a draw with IM Antonio Dcunha Viani of India.
Meanwhile, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna bounced back from a Round 4 loss with a brilliant win over Switzerland’s Duke Kreutzmann.
She hiked her record to 3.5 points on three wins, one loss and one draw.
GM Jayson Gonzales, for his part, drew with Dutch IM Marcel Peek for 4 points.
