Pascua, Laylo score 1-2 finish in KL chess

MANILA, Philippines — International Master Haridas Pascua drew with countryman IM Oliver Dimakiling in the ninth and final round yesterday to reign supreme in the 46th Selangor Open Chess at the Cititel Midvalley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Pascua finished undefeated with 7.5 points on six victories and three draws to rule the weeklong tournament ahead of another Filipino, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, and Indonesian FIDE Master Pitra Andyka with seven points apiece.

Pascua earned 4.8 FIDE rating points and closed in on an outright GM title with his current 2426 rating.

Laylo, who overpowered untitled Malaysian Kaushal Khandhar, took second place via the win-over-the-other tiebreak with Andyka.