The gambit allowed the former National Juniors champion to put his opponent on the defensive end in their Center-Counter game and maintain his half-point lead over his closest pursuers heading into the last six rounds.
The top three finishers in the event sponsored by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino and the First Gentleman Foundation will join Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio and Mark Paragua in the RP men’s team bound for this year’s World Chess Olympiad in Majorca, Spain.
Chasing the solo-leader were International Masters Jayson Gonzales and Chito Garma, who beat separate 11th round rivals.
Gonzales took the scalp of 10-year old Wesley So in 42 moves of King’s Indian Defense while Garma beat NM Roland Joseph Perez after 59 moves of French Defense.
In the 10th round Friday night, Gonzales blew two chances to extract full point in his match against IM Barlo Nadera that could have gain him a share of the lead.
Playing with the black pieces, Gonzales opted for a king move instead of h2 that could have prevented Nadera from getting his Bishop on g1 that led to a book draw in their bishop and pawn endgame.
NMs Oliver Barbosa and Emmanuel Senador were not far behind after drawing their respective matches.
Barbosa, the top qualifier, halved the point with Rodolfo Diaz Jr. while Senador agreed o a truce with NM Mirabeau Maga after 63 moves of Catalan to push their total to 7.0 points.
The rest of the matches ended decisively with NM Leonardo Carlos winning over Fame Fazon after 47 moves of King’s Indian Defense, FIDE Master Fernie Donguines beating top seed IM Ronald Dableo after 73 moves of French and IM Petronio Roca trouncing Nadera after 42 moves of Queen’s Gambit-Declined.
In the lone women’s division match, reigning Women’s National Open champion WFM Sheerie Joy Lomibao took the measure of WNM Kathryn Ann Cruz in 40 moves of English Opening to seize the lead with 5.0 points.
The match was originally set in the opener but both players agreed to play it on their rest day due to varying reasons.