Gomez hurdles Negi, shares lead

MANILA, Philippines - John Paul Gomez dismantled Indian GM Parimarjan Negi for his second straight win as he shared the lead with fellow GMs Yu Yangyi and IM Liu Qingnan of China and IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa of Mongolia in the 11th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Monday.

While Gomez sustained his fine start, the other Filipino GMs faltered with Darwin Laylo bowing to Yu and Mark Paragua losing to Liu.

Gundavaa, on the other hand, downed IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia to force a four-way tie for the lead.

Gomez shoots for his third straight victory against Yu while Liu and Gundavaa clash in the other featured match in the event serving as a World Cup qualifier.

GM Oliver Barbosa defeated GM Tu Hoang Thong of Vietnam for 1.5 points and a share of fifth place with 23 others.

GM Wesley So, meanwhile, settled for a second straight draw, this time against veteran Viet GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam.