So, Viet draw, remain at helm

Individual standings after round 4:

3.5 points---GM Wesley So (Philippines), GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (Vietnam)

3.0 points---GM Darwin Laylo (Philippines), FM Haridas Pascua (Philippines), GM Susanto Megaranto (Indonesia), IM Nguyen Doc Hoa (Vietnam), IM Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa (Mongolia)

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So salvaged a draw from a difficult position with fellow leader Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam and remained joint leader after four rounds of the Zone 3.3 Chess Championship at the Tagaytay International Convention Center Thursday.

The co-leaders agreed to a draw after 44 moves of a Neo-Gruenfeld defense, with So playing black, to share the lead with 3.5 points.

“I’m lucky I escaped with a draw because he had a slightly better position,” said the 19-year-old So, who is bidding for the crown and a slot in the World Cup.

So plays white in the fifth round against Mongolian Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa, while the Vietnamese ace goes up against Darwin Laylo. Gundavaa split the point with Laylo after 30 moves of the Gruenfeld defense.

“I’ll go for a win since I’m handling the white pieces,” said So, who beat Gundavaa four times and drew once in their past duels.

Joining Gundavaa and Laylo in a bunch of 3.0 pointers were defending champion Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia and Viet IM Nguyen Doc Hoa, who were to face each other yesterday.

Also with 3.0 points is FM Haridas Pascua, winner over GM John Paul Gomez after 49 moves of the Queens Gambit Accepted.

The Jakarta-based Megaranto edged IM Rolando Nolte after 85 moves of the Ruy Lopez Opening while Doc Hoa outclassed US-based Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. after 42 moves of the King’s Indian defense.