MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Mark Jay Bacojo brought down fellow International Master Alexandr Triapishko of Russia Tuesday to stay in the hunt for the title and a Grandmaster norm in the Russian Chess Crown Standard A in Moscow.
The 19-year-old Far Eastern U standout pounced on a tiny kingside weakness of his Russian foe and turned it into a full-scale attack that hiked the former’s total to six points after eight rounds.
A draw in the last two rounds would yield a first GM norm for Bacojo, whose trip is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission.