Antonio, Garma share chess lead

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — Grandmaster Joey Antonio and International Master Chito Garma scored contrasting victories to share the lead after the fourth round of the second La Union Open Chess championship Sunday at the fourth floor Marcos Building here.

The second seed Antonio unleashed a strong kingside attack to subdue erstwhile co-leader NM Yves Rañola after 40 moves of a Sicilian Defense-Pelikan variation, while Garma, seeded fourth, outplayed former junior champion NM Rolando Andador in 64 moves of another Sicilian Defense to score their fourth straight win.

Top seed GM Eugene Torre, who drew his third round match with NM Rolando Nolte, crushed the Modern Defense of NM Alex Milagrosa in 38 moves to remain in second position with 3.5 points, tied with FM Jesse Noel Sales, NMs Richard Bitoon, Rolly Martinez and defending champion Emmanuel Senador.

Sales won over NM Efren Bagamasbad and Senador beat FM Adrian Ros Pacis while Bitoon and Martinez drew their