by Marlon Bernardino
National Master Rolando Andador outlasted National Master Nick Nisperos to remain on top after the 3rd round of the 2018 National Open Chess Championships dubbed as Road To Batumi at the Activity Hall, second floor Alphaland Ayala Place in Malugay Street, Makati City late Tuesday.
The Talisay City native Andador played superbly to clinch the win over Nisperos in the tough, 26-player-field, 7-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. , NCFP executive director Red Dumuk and NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe in the event is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Alphaland Mall.
"I hope to do well in this event," said Andador, who earlier beat International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia in the first round and Fide Master Roel Abelgas in the second round.
The win enabled Andador, member of the multi-titled Philippine National Police Chess Team raised his total to 3 points, just a half-a-point ahead of Fide Master Mari Joseph logizesthai Turqueza and International Master Richilieu Salcedo III.
Turqueza, a mainstay of the star-studded San Beda University chess team beat Filipino and United States Chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. whose stint here is being supported by Mandaluyong City ABC president and Barangay Malamig chairman Marlon Manalo.
Salcedo, on the other hand, defeated Dan Maersk Mangao.
Meanwhile, 13-times Philippine Open champion and second seed Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (Elo 2452) halved the point with Singapore-based Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr.
Antonio and Suelo, both tallied 2 points to create a seven-way tie for 4th place in the company of International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Fide Master Roel Abelgas, Fide Master Adrian Ros Pacis, National Master John Merill Jacutina and Fide Master elect Daniel Quizon.
Nisperos, Bernardino and Mangao remains at 1.5 points, the same output of National Master Noel dela Cruz, National Master Joey Albert Florendo, Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus and Fide Master Nelson "Elo" Mariano III.
In the distaff side, Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy, this year's Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA) Milo Athlete of the Year awardee split the point with Jerlyn Mae San Diego to grab the solo lead with 2.5 points in three outings.
Tournament director is FA Red Dumuk and Chief arbiter is IA Gene Poliarco in this qualifying event for the 2018 Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia on September 23 to October 6, 2018.(Marlon Bernardino)