Laylo raps Gonzales, grabs solo Open lead

MANILA, Philippines – World Chess Cup veteran Darwin Laylo defeated fellow GM Jayson Gonzales in the sixth round then drew with GM John Paul Gomez in the next to remain at the helm with two rounds left in the National Open Chess Championship at the Victory Centrall Mall in Caloocan City yesterday.

The win and the draw hiked Laylo’s total to six points as he remained half-a-point behind GMs Joey Antonio, John Paul Gomez and Mark Paragua and IM Richard Bitoon.

Antonio trounced NM Efren Bagamasbad in the sixth round and split the point with Gonzales in the seventh to stay in the hunt for the top P100,000 purse.

Paragua drew with NM Emmanuel Senador in the sixth round then outclassed IM Chito Garma in the next, while Bitoon trampled Alex Milagrosa and Senador to join the big guns in second.

Gomez defeated IM Barlo Nadera in the sixth round and settled for a draw with Laylo.

Gonzales and Nadera stayed within striking distance with five points, in a tie with Ali Branzuela, Alcon John Datu and Deniel Causo.

Branzuela outplayed Jimson Bitoon, Datu toppled Rhobel Legaspi and Causo defeated Milagrosa.

IM Rolando Nolte tripped Eduardo Agagon to lead a big group of players with 4.5 points, who include Senador, Bagamasbad, brothers Chito and Edgardo Garma, Richard de la Cruz, Efren Arguelles, Leodegario Ricana, Ritchie Evangelsita and Christian Arroyo.