Garcia, Mendoza pace JAPFA Jakarta chess tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Woman Fide Master Shania Mendoza and International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia pulled off a victory and a draw to get a share of the lead in their respective divisions after five rounds in the third Asean JAPFA Chess Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 17-year-old Mendoza, playing black, crushed WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia in 65 moves of a French Defense, then split the point with WCM Nur Nabila Hisham Azman of Malaysia to score four points in five games and stay in joint first.

Garcia, for his part, defeated IM Zaw Htun Wynn in 49 moves of an English Opening Symmetrical Variation in Round 4 then agreed to a draw with top seed Susanto Megaranto in 12 moves of an English Defense for a leading 3.5 points.

Garcia shared the pace with 15-year-old IM Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia before the tourney took a break on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old IM Paulo Bersamina drew for the fifth straight time for an aggregate of 2.5 points and a piece of sixth spot.

Filipino GM Darwin Laylo failed to dodge the bullet in Round 4 and yielded to IM Winshand Cuhendi Sean of Indonesia.  Laylo had earlier secured a winning material when his opponent gave up a queen for two minor pieces in the opening of their Caro Kann defense.

In other results, 19-year-old WIM Janelle Mae Frayna drew her games against Azman (Round 4) and WIM Bernadette Galas (Round 5). Frayna shared third with WIM Chelsie Sihite of Indonesia while Galas, 19, stood in fifth to seventh places heading into the sixth round.