Gomez remains unbeaten in Battle of the Grandmaster; Antonio grabs solo second place

by Marlon Bernardino

Grandmaster John Paul Gomez  held his guard in the third round of the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila Monday night here.

Gomez defeated GM Richard Bitoon after 35 moves of Old Indian defense to register his third consecutive win in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in close cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

12-time national open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. beat IM Joel Pimentel after 39 moves of Nimzo-Indian defense to grabs solo second place. The Calapan, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio notch two wins and a draw after three outings.

IM Emmanuel Senador, who drew Asia's First GM Eugene Torre in the opening round but lost by default over GM Gomez in the second round, rebounded with emphatic wins over Fide Master Jony Habla after 34 moves of Catalan Opening.

US based GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla Jr. scored his third straight draw this time to National Master Narquinden Reyes after 30 moves of King's Indian defense.

In other third round matches saw, GM Torre split the point with IM Richilieu Salcedo III after 49 moves of Old Indian defense, GM Darwin Laylo halved the point with last year's champion GM Mark Paragua after 57 moves of Sicilian defense and GM Oliver Barbosa settled for a truce with FM Roderick Nava after 56 moves of Queen's Pawn Game.

In the women's play,  Woman International Masters (WIMs) Janelle Mae Frayna and Beverly Mendoza continues their winning run to three to share the lead.

Frayna, top player of Far Eastern University toppled Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza after 45 moves of English Opening while WIM Mendoza routed Lucelle Bermundo after 39 moves of Dutch defense.

Sharing the limelight are defending champion Woman International Master Catherine Perena who dealt Woman Fide Master Rulp Ylem Jose after 46 moves of Oldin Indian defense as well Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia who edged Gladys Hazelle Romero after 63 moves of Queens Gambit Accepted, Ynna Sophia Canape who upset Woman National Master Jedara Docena after 47 moves of Kings Indian defense and Jean Karen Enriquez, winner over Woman International Master Bernadette Galas after 42 moves of French defense.

The game between Villa Mae Cabrera (who replaced WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda) and Arvie Lozano ended into a fighting draw after 59 moves of Modern defense.

Tournament director is NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales while International arbiter Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter of the said chessfest.