AEROFLOT OPEN ROUND-8

GOMEZ WINS, SADORRA FALLS

FILIPINO International Master John Paul Gomez (2469) defeated Russian FM Andrey Okara (2402), however compatriot IM Julio Catalino Sadorra (2423) succumbed to Russian GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov (2524) after the Thursday's eight round of Aeroflot Open 2008 International Chess Festival at the Gamma-Delta Hotel in Moscow, Russia

The 24-year-old Gomez, a former four-time Philippine Junior champion from La Salle-Taft raised his total 4.5 points and move into a tie for 25th to 37th placers in the company of ninth round opponent Ukrainian GM Adam Tukhaev (2524), winner over Chinese untitled player Chen Lin (2378). While the 21-year-old Singapore-based Sadorra remains at 3.0 points and dropped into a tie for 69th to 79th placers. Sadorra next assignment is Croatian GM Davor Rogic (2504), who beat Turkmenistan IM Mert Erdogdu (2434).

Meanwhile, Russian GM Marat Askarov (2521) notch his second straight draw over countryman IM Dmitry Kryakvin (2535) but still on top with 6.5 points with one round to go. Kryakvin along with GM Stanislav Novikov (2545) of Russia, Weigi Zhou (2530) and Yunguo Wan (2389) of China joints in second placers with 6.0 points each.

In the A1 premiere section, Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2600) toppled Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem (2540) to grabs the solo leadership board with 6.5 points. GM Alexey Dreev (2633) and GM Alexander Motylev (2644) share second to 3rd placers with 6.0 points each.

Dreev made a quit draw over GM Gadir Guseinov (2617) of Azerbaijan while Motylev beat GM Maxin Rodshtein (2614) of Israel.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO