UPDATE ON VIETNAM CHESS

ELORTA SPLIT THE POINT WITH GM DAO IN 71 MOVES

Individual Standings after round 3: 10 players' field, Danang IM Tournament

3.0 points---Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam)

2.5 points---GM Dao Thien Hai (Vietnam)

2.0 points---FM Roderick Nava (Philippines), David Elorta (Philippines)

1.5 points---GM Zaw Win Lay (Myanmar)

1.0 point---IM Wynn Zaw Htun (Myanmar), FM Hoang Canh Huan (Vietnam), Nguyen Thien Viet (Vietnam),

0.5 point---FM Bao Quang (Vietnam), Nguyen Hoang Nam (Vietnam)

DANANG, VIETNAM- Refusing an early draw but the game ending in a draw just the same, unrated Filipino David Elorta (2409) gave his best to register the biggest upset yesterday but third seed Vietnamese GM Dao Thien Hai (2530) managed a draw in their end game that lasted 71 moves of the English Opening in the third round of Asean Masters Chess Circuit here at the Danang Hotel.

"Nag offer siya sa akin ng draw sa 17 moves kaso hindi ko tinanggap kasi gusto-gusto ko talagang manalo. Actually, nag sacrifice pa ako ng rook ko kapalit ng bishop at isang pawn kasi matatag at magaling talaga si GM Dao," said Elorta, who will celebrate his 26th birthday on June 20.

"Sana makuha ko dito sa Danang IM Tournament ang 2nd IM norm ko," added Elorta, whose stint here is being supported by NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.

The draw gave the San Andres, Bukid, Manila ace 2.0 points on account of a win and two draws in three outings and climbed into a tie for 3rd to 4th placers with compatriot FM Roderick Nava (2351) who also halved the point with Vietnamese Nguyen Thien Viet after 90 moves of a Queens' Indian Defense.

"Mahirap din po pala magpumilit kasi sa end game na losing position pa ako buti na lamang hindi nakita ng kalaban ko ang tamang continuation," added Carmona, Cavite pride Nava, who is seeking his first IM norm here in Danang IM Tournament.

GM Dao, who posted an impressive back to back win before settling a draw with Elorta is solo 3rd place with 2.5 points.

Candidate Master Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam nipped countryman FM Bao Quang after 37 moves of an English Opening to grabs the solo leadership board` with 3.0 points each. Van Huy whose an Elo rating of 2369 upset No.2 IM IM Wynn Zaw Htun (2542) of Myanmar late Wednesday.

In other matches, top seed GM Zaw`Win Lay (2574) of Myanmar settled for a truce with FM Hoang Canh Huan of Vietnam after 58 moves of an Vienna Opening while IM Wynn also drew with Candiate Master Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam after 50 moves of a Reti Opening.

In the Asean Age Group Chess Championships, Richielieu Salcedo of Cagayan de Oro City toppled Vietnamese Tran Tanh Tu after 51 moves of a Sicilian Defense to seize the lead in the Boys' 18 and under with 4.5 points after five games of play.

John Ray B. Batucan of Davao City tied with Vietnamese, Lu Chan Hung with 4.5 pts after 5th round in the Boys' 12 and under.

In the boys' 10 and under, Paolo Bersamina of Pasay City stuns Daryl Unix Samantila of Singalong, Manila after 29 moves of an English Opening to remain in the medal race.

Daniel John Lemi of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur suffered back to back loses to stuck at 3.0 points in the Boys' 8 and under

Cheradee Chardine Camacho defeated Vietnamese Le Hoai Bao Duyen to raise her total 4.0 points and share the lead with no.7 seed Phan Nguyen Mai Chi, no. 2 seed Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and Nguyen Thao Han of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, NM Edmundo Legaspi suffered his first lost at the hands of FM Ignatius Leong of Singapore after 61 moves of an Owens Defense to remain at 3.0 points in the fourth round of Senior Division of the 50-year-old and under.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison