Laylo keeps Zonal lead

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Darwin Laylo fought International Master Wei Ming Goh of Singapore to a draw and stayed on top after seven rounds of the Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championships yesterday at the Tagaytay International Convention Center.

With 5.5 points, Laylo moved closer to a third stint in the World Cup with a half-point lead over Goh, GMs Mark Paragua, Zhang Zhong (Singapore) and Susanto Megaranto (Indonesia) with two rounds left.

“I’ll have to play a little more cautious now, but I’ll go for the win if there’s an opportunity in the final two rounds,” said Laylo.

The top two finishers in the event, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippiness in cooperation with the Tagaytay City government, will earn tickets to this year’s World Cup in Russia.

Paragua also halved the point with Megaranto, while Zhang dealt Filipino GM Eugene Torre his second loss to lead the five pointers.

IM Oliver Barbosa bested IM Oliver Dimakiling and IM Richard Bitoon dumped Hakiki Kaisar of Indonesia to lead five others with 4.5 points.

Also in the group are GM John Paul Gomez, who won by default over Randy Segarra, GM Rogeli Antonio Jr., who drew with GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam and Asian Youth gold medalist IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, who split the point with GM Cao Sang of Vietnam.

Reigning national junior champion Mari Joseph Turqueza drew with IM Nguyen Huyn Minh of Vietnam, and IM Rolando Nolte also halved the point with compatriot Alcon John Datu for four points.

In women’s play, WIM Beverly Mendoza crushed Victoria Wei Chan of Singapore and Jan Jodilyn Fronda and Jedara Docena battled to a draw for joint 11th at four points.

Fronda and Docena stood one and a half points behind Nguyen Thi Thanh An of Vietnam, who closed in on the World Cup berth by stopping erstwhile leader WGM Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia for 5.5 points.