Unbeaten So, Gomez remain at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Wesley So stamped his class over FM Haridas Pascua, essaying a 37-move win in a Gruenfeld to share the lead with fellow GM John Paul Gomez in the second round of the Phoenix Petroleum “Battle of GMs” Chess Championships at the Character Hotel in Tagaytay Wednesday.

The 16-year-old Filipino champion, gunning for a third straight victory here, pounced on Pascua’s weak pawn structure following a passive pawn push on the 11th and went on to post his second straight victory in the 11-round tournament.

“I like my chances here now, but it’s still a long way to go,” said So, who dominated US-based IM Julio Catalino Sadorra in Tuesday’s opener of the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with Phoenix Petroleum and the Tagaytay City government.

“I know I can’t afford to be over-confident since the field is strong,” said So, priming up for a tough invitational tournament in Biel, Switzerland in July and the Rising Stars vs Veterans tournament in Amsterdam in August.

Up next for So is IM-candidate Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who posted the tournament’s first big upset with a victory over GM Jayson Gonzales in 40 moves of the English opening.

Meanwhile, Gomez outwitted GM-candidate Ronald Dableo in 44 moves of the Slav to join So in the early lead.

Gomez cashed in on Dableo’s passive Nd1 on the 26th - instead of Na4 - to gain advantage in a queen-and-bishop ending.

Gomez, who beat IM Oliver Dimakiling in the first round, had a mating threat and pawn advantage when the time-pressured Dableo resigned.

GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. whipped Dimakiling in 33 moves of the Nimzo-Indian and IM Richard Bitoon downed IM Rolando Nolte in 30 moves of the Sicilian to join Garcia in third with 1.5 points.

Sadorra bounced back from an opening-day setback to topple GM Darwin Laylo in 61 moves of the King’s Indian defense.

In women’s play, Mikee Suede subdued Chardine Cheradee Camacho in 34 moves of the Sicilian to seize the lead with two points.

Beverly Mendoza overwhelmed Catherine Perena in 35 moves of the Bishop’s Opening to join Cherry Ann Mejia and Rulp Ylem Jose in second with 1.5 points.

Mejia, who defeated Aices Salvador for one of three victories in the opening round, settled for a draw with Shercila Cua in 38 moves of the Caro-Kann.

Jose, who beat Jenny Palomo in the first round, drew with Jedara Docena after marathon 74 moves of a Pirc defense.