Pascua halts Iranian for joint lead

MANILA, Philippines - FM Haridas Pascua outclassed Vahid Faramarzi of Iran to post his second straight victory in the Asian Juniors Chess Championships at the Vijay Park and Business Hotel in Chennai, India Wednesday.

The win came on the heels of Pascua’s equally impressive victory with the black over J. Yohan of India, putting the 17-year-old Filipino in joint lead with top seed IM B. Adhiban of India and 11 others.

Pascua’s mettle will be tested as he goes up against fourth seed S.P. Sethuraman of India, who trounced compatriot FM V.A.V Rajesh, in the third round.           

Adhiban, the highest-rated player with a 2510 rating, whipped No. 22 Karthik Arun of India to lead the way in the nine-round tournament.

Second seed IM Gujrathi Vidit, also of India, crushed Krishnan Saravana, while third seed IM Babu Lalith of India outplayed countryman Reddy Mehar to join Adhiban and Pascua in the lead.

In the girls division, Dresden Olympiad veteran Christy Lamiel Bernales bounced back from an opening game loss by beating R. Abirami of India.

Bernales, ranked No. 15 in a field of 53, dropped her opening match to No. 41 WFM Hisham Nur Najha of Malaysia last Tuesday.

The University of the East standout will face G. Lasya of India in the third round.