ELORTA UPSETS MYANMAR IM IN VIETNAM CHESS

Asean Masters Chess Circuit

Individual Standings after round 6:

4.5 points---GM Dao Thien Hai (Vietnam), Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam)

3.5 points---FM Roderick Nava (Philippines), David Elorta (Philippines), Nguyen Thien Viet (Vietnam)

3.0 points---GM Zaw`Win Lay (Myanmar), FM Hoang Canh Huan (Vietnam)

2.5 points---FM Bao Quang (Vietnam)

1.0 point---IM Wynn Zaw Htun (Myanmar)

0.5 point---Nguyen Hoang Nam (Vietnam)

DANANG, Vietnam---Unrated Filipino David Elorta (2409) of Manila turned back second seed IM Wynn Zaw tunHutHtun (2542) of Myanmar in 41 moves of Reti Opening using the disadvantageous black pieces to inch closer to his coveted second International Master (IM) norm in the sixth round of Asean Masters Chess Circuit Danang IM Tournament being held at the Danang, Hotel here.

The 25-year-old San Andres Bukid, Manila bet compiled 3.5 points on two wins, three draws and loss after six games of play to share 3rd`to 5th placers along with FM Roderick Nava and Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam.

"Lagi naman talaga tayo nagpupumilit manalo, y'an kasi ang gusto talaga ni Cong. (Butch) Pichay na play your game walang draw, patay kong patay. Y'ang IM title naman darating naman y'an kung ukol talaga sa atin," said Elorta, who needed to score 2 points in the last three remaining round to obtain his 2nd IM norm.

Nava, meanwhile bested Nguyen Van Huy in 34 moves of a Sicilian Defense.

In other matches, 3rd`seed GM Dao Thien Hai (2530) of Vietnam nipped compatriot Nguyen Hoang Nam in 28 moves of Sicilian Defense even another Vietnamese ace FM Hoang Canh Huan crushed FM Bao Quang in just 12 moves of an Alekhine Defense.

Tournament top seed GM Zaw Win Lay (2574) of Myanmar split the point with Nguyen Thien Viet of Vietnam in 19 moves of an Alekhine Defense.

In the seventh round, Elorta will square off FM Quang while Nava will meet IM Wynn.



DAVAO BET POCKET RP'S 2ND GOLD MEDAL IN ASEAN AGE GROUP CHESS

DANANG-VIETNAM---John Ray Batucan of Davao City made a quick draw against Tran Tuan Minh of Vietnam in the ninth and final round to dominates the Boys' 12 and under at the conclusion yesterday of Standard play in the on-going Asean Age Group Chess Championships here at the Danang Hotel.

Batucan finished with 7.5 points in nine outings to give the Philippines second gold medal after National Master Edmundo Legaspi topped the Senior Division on Friday.

The country's 3rd gold medal courtesy of Batucan, Vince Angelo Medina of Bacoor, Cavite and Karl Angelo Perez of San Pablo, Laguna who topped the Team event in Boys' 12 and under.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. is very happy when he learned about Batucan's impressive showing.

"Ito ang nagpapatunay na maraming mga kabataan natin hindi lang sa parte ng Metro Manila, Luzon at Visayas maging sa Mindanao kailangan lamang silang suportahan at mabigyan ng break sa local at international tournament," said Pichay, who is schedule to arrive here yesterday.

RP head coach and former Istanbul Olympian IM Idelfonso Datu is optimistic that the Philippines can win more medals in the rapid and blitz format.

"Tiyak y'an, inaasahan natin, d'yan tayo sa rapid at blitz babawi para makapag0uwi ng maraming medal at makuha ang over-all championships trophy na matagal ng pinaghaharian ng Vietnam," said IM Datu.

Back home, NCFP region 11 coordinator James Infiesto congratulates Batucan's feat.

"Magandang balita ito sa mga Taga Mindanao at mga Taga Davao na unang nagbigay ng gold medal sa ating bansa sa Asean Age Group ay nagmula sa Taga Davao, nagbunga din ang grass root program naming dito at salamat sa suporta ni Cong. (Butch) Pichay, mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte at PSC chair (Butch) Ramirez at sa iba," said Infiesto.

Ateneo de Manila University incoming second-year-high school student Jan Emmanuel Garcia, on the other hand bagged the silver medal in the Boys' 14 and under after notching 7.0 points. He drew with Yeap Eng Chiam of Malaysia in 46 moves of a Pirc Defense.

In the Boys' 8 and under, Kyle Emmanuel Ochoa of Calumpit, Bulacan split the point with Hoang Tan Duc of Vietnam to receive the silver medal after accumulating 6.5 points.

Ochoa along Haince Patrick de Leon of Marist School and Daniel John Lemi of Vigan City who combined total 16.5 points to pocket the silver medal in the Team event.

In the Boys' 16 and under, Alcon John Datu of University of the East beat Duong Thuong Cong of Vietnam in 36 moves of a Queen's Pawn Game to score 6.5 points and pocket silver medal.

Datu, who hails from Quezon City together with Narquingden Reyes of QC and Loren Brigham Laceste of La Union also won silver medal in the Team event.

In the distaff side, Jean Karen Enriquez of Marikina City, Rowelyn Acedo of Davao City and Maria Ysabelle Semillano of Muntilupa City won the silver medal in the Girls' 12 and under

Other Silver Medal in the Team Play U-14 headed by Jodilyn Fronda of Manila, Cherry Ann Mejia of Pasig, and Judith Pineda of Olongapo City.

In the Girls' 16 and under, Jedara Docena of Bohol, Akiko Chairmaine Suede of Makati and Christy Lamiel Bernales of Quezon City also won silver medal even the teaming up of Kimberly Jane Cunanan of Angeles, Pampanga, Lovelyn Medina of Bacoor, Cavite and Ronna Reginer Senora of General Santos City bagged the silver medal in the U-18.

Individual bronze medal won by Jedara Docena who tote 6 points in the Girls' 16 and under.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison