Torre shares 2nd; other RP bets fall

GM Eugene Torre flashed vintage form and came through with a win and a draw in the fourth and fifth rounds for a share of second after halfway through the 15 de Open van Leuven Open at the Zaal Ons Huis Hall in Leuven, Sweden Sunday.

But compatriots Joey Antonio and Bong Villamayor were slowed down by losses after streaking to three straight victories, enabling super-GM Vladimir Epishin to seize the solo lead in the 9-round Swiss system tournament serving as part of the Pinoy chessers’ buildup for next month’s Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.

Torre hurdled Alex Goloshchapov to notch his fourth point but failed to keep in step with Epishin after he was held to a draw by Pieter Claesen in the fifth round. With 4.5 points, Torre shared second place with Mikhail Golubev and Stephen Berry, whom he plays in the sixth round Monday.

Epishin outwitted Villamayor and Antonio in succession to wrest the solo lead with five points. Despite his fifth round loss to Epishin, Antonio, who beat Shahin Mohandesi in the fourth round, remained in contention with four points for a share of fifth place with seven others.