Torre joins Bitoon at helm

Grandmaster Eugene Torre came through with a vintage performance to outwit FIDE Master Jesse Noel Sales yesterday and gain a share of the lead after Round 3 of the finals of the National Chess Open championships at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall of the SSS building in Quezon City.

Torre, playing black, beat Sales in 40 moves of a Nimzo-Indian Defense to boost his tally to 2.5 points and wheel into a tie with International Master candidate Richard Bitoon, who earlier settled for a quick draw with friend National Master Jayson Gonzales in 16 moves of a Guioco-Piano Opening.

Grandmasters Bong Villamayor and Joey Antonio also prevailed over their separate rivals to move into a four-way tie for second place with International Master Chito Garma and Gonzales, all with two points each.

Villamayor forced National Master Emmanuel Senador into time forefeit after 39 moves of Reti Opening while Antonio dumped National Master Allan Sayson in 63 moves of Catalan Defense.

Garma bounced back from his second-round loss to Gonzales by outplaying National Master Darwin Laylo in 46 moves of a Center Counter Game.

"Sales made some good moves in the middle game but I think I was ahead most of the time and in control," said Torre following his emphatic victory.

"I was so focused on my mating chances that I made a mistake of playing Na7 on my final move. Maybe it was because I was time-pressured," said the 33-year-old Sales who was playing Torre for the first time.

International Master Beverly Mendoza and National Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao posted contrasting wins over separate foes to remain tied on top in the women‘s division with three points apiece.