Maga keeps chess lead

National Master Mirabeau Maga continued his winning ways as he posted his second straight victory over Makati Medical Center bet Gil Natividad in 53 moves of a King’s Indian defense Monday to maintain his share of the lead with five others in the second round of the Codiñera Memorial Chess Championships’ open section at the J & F Divino Bldg. on Aurora Blvd., near Anonas St. in Quezon City.

The victory gave Maga a perfect score of two points after two rounds of play along with fellow masters Robert Suelo Jr., Ronald Llavanes and Dante Zuñiga, veteran campaigner Edmundo Gatus and unheralded Felsimore Gumtang of Marikina.

Suelo upended former coach Jose Aquino Jr. of UP (34, Queen’s Pawn game), Llavanes beat unrated Verth Alora (40, Sicilian), Zuñiga humbled former varsity player Michael Cariño (54, Trompovsky), Gatus outplayed Batangas bet Efren Arguelles (45, Ruy Lopez), and Gumtang downed Ervin Tadoy of Malabon (44, French).

Trailing behind with 1.5 points is late entry 18-year old International Master Mark Paragua.