SO BEATS BONG IN 50 MOVES OF QUEEN'S GAMBIT

WESLEY SO notched his fifth win after 50 moves of Queen's Gambit over fellow GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor to remain on top Thursday in the eighth round of the Philippine Battle of the Grandmasters at the 11th floor of City State Hotel.

So, who played with the black pieces, improved his tournament-leading total to 6.5 points including three draws in this unique 11 round Swiss-System tournament which offers a top prize of P200,000.

"Krusyal ang nalalabing last three rounds po, hope mahawakan po natin ang momentum," said So, who is eyeing his first round-robin title. His last three round matches against IM Richard Bitoon (round 9), NM OliveBarbosa (round 10) and IM John Paul Gomez (round 11).

Asia's first GM Eugene Torre, So's closest pursuer, failed to keep pace following a draw with National Master Oliver Barbosa.

Torre, who remained undefeated, agreed to split the point after 56 moves of Nimzo Indian. He improved his total to 5.5 points.

Catching Torre at second was International Master Richard Bitoon, who scalped National Master Hamed Nouri after 33 moves of Scotch.

GM Joey Antonio and IM John Paul Gomez were another half-point behind after similar fighting draws.

Antonio, the second highest rated player in the field, halved the point with IM Julio Catalino Sadorra after 32 moves of Nimzo Indian while Gomez salvaged a draw against GM Jayson Gonzales after 41 moves of Queen's Gambit Chigorin.

Gonzales appeared to be on his way to his first win in the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines with pawns on the a-file and b-file. But Gomez cushioned the disadvantage with well-placed rook and bishop.

NM Rolando Nolte continued his steady climb in the leader board by dealing FIDE Master Fernie Donguines another loss after 31 moves of English Opening. His 4.5 points gave him sole possession of sixth place, not bad for a guy who dropped his opening match.


WESLEY SO REMAINS ON TOP

GM Wesley So defeated FM Fernie Donguines after 48 moves of a Sicilian Defense using the black pieces to remain on top after the sixth round late Tuesday in the ongoing Philippine Battle of the Grandmasters.

The 14-year-old So, who was held into a draw with NM Nouri Hamed after 30 moves of a Reti Opening in the fifth round on Monday notch 5.0 points on account of 4 wins and 2 draws in six outings. He is schedule to meet today IM Rolando Nolte for the seventh round.

"Mahirap pa pong magsalita basta gagawin ko lamang ang aking best," said So when this writer asked him if he can win the top prize of P200,000.

" Masuwerte ako ngayon," added So, who had an Elo rating of 2540 in the April 1, 2008 FIDE list. So increased his Elo rating to 2561 Elo rating points because of his
impressive performance in winning the tough Dubai Open Chess and by beating Indon GM Susanto Megaranto in their one-on-one duel.

Meanwhile, GM Eugene Torre continued his impressive showing by beating fellow GM Bong Villamayor after 40 moves of a Pirc Defense last night. kagabi. Torre is coming a draw with IM Rolando Nolte after 43 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense in the fifth round.

Torre now has 4.5 points, the same output of IM John Paul Gomez to tie at 2nd to 3rd placers.

Despite Gomez bowing to Donguines in the fifth round after 117 moves of an Owens Defense, Gomez bounced back in contention by trouncing IM Julio Catalino Sadorra after 32 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense.

In other matches saw (sixth round), Nolte beat Hamed; IM Richard Bitoon disposed GM Jayson Gonzales, while IM Oliver Barbosa split the point with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison