So smothers Laylo, caps chess romp

MANILA, Philippines - GM Wesley So beat GM Darwin Laylo in the final round of the Phoenix Petroleum-Dapitan City “Battle of GMs” chess championship to formalize his claim on the crown worth P200,000 in Dapitan City, Zamboang del Norte yesterday.

Already assured of a second straight title as early as 10th round, So finished the 11-round tournament the way he started it – on a winning note, finishing with 18 points for a whopping four-point victory over GM Joey Antonio.

Antonio settled for a draw with GM Eugene Torre in their 11th and final round encounter.

Antonio finished with 14 points and went home with P100,000 while Torre wound up third with 13 points and P80,000.

GM Mark Paragua recorded the only other win in the final day, beating GM-candidate Julio Catalino Sadorra to finish tied for fourth with GM John Paul Gomez with 12 points worth P50,000 each.

Laylo settled for solo sixth place with 11.5 points and earned P30,000.

Sadorra and IM Richard Bitoon, who drew with IM Ronald Dableo in the final round, shared seventh place with 11 points.