Gomez, Frayna stay at chess helm

MANILA, Philippines - GM John Paul Gomez and GM Joey Antonio drew their fifth round match to keep the 1-2 posts in men’s play even as Janelle Frayna seized the solo lead in the ladies side in the Battle of the GMs at the PSC Administration Bldg. in Manila yesterday.

Gomez and Antonio agreed to split the point after only 21 moves of a Caro-Kann defense with the former staying on top with 13.5 points and the latter in second with 10.5 points.

GM Richard Bitoon beat defending champion GM Mark Paragua in 37 moves of Sicilian to move up to third with nine points in a tie with GMs Banjo Barcenilla and Oliver Barbosa and IM Joel Pimentel.

Barcenilla halved the point with Pimentel after 84 moves of Queen’s Gambit Accepted while Barbosa defeated IM Emmanuel Senador in 64 moves of Queen’s Pawn Game.

In other matches, FM Jony Habla drew with IM Richilieu Salcedo III, so did GM Eugene Torre with National Master Narquinden Reyes and FM Roderick Nava with GM Darwin Laylo.

Frayna, meanwhile, battled Jean Karen Enriquez to a draw after 79 moves of English Opening to wrest control with 13.5 points with erstwhile co-leader Beverly Mendoza bowing to fellow WIM Bernadette Galas in 38 moves of French defense. Mendoza dropped to second with 12 points.

In other results, last year’s champion WIM Catherine Perena outclassed WFM Jedara Docena and Lucelle Bermundo subdued Ynna Sophia Canape.