by Marlon Bernardino
FIDE MASTER Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza bested International Master Richelieu Salcedo III to assume solo lead after the fifth round of the 2018 National Chess Championship dubbed as Trip To Batumi Grand Finals being held at the Second Floor, Activity Hall, Alphaland Makati Place in Malugay Street, Makati City late Tuesday.
The San Beda University top player Turqueza played superbly with the white pieces to clinch the win over Salcedo after 28 moves of Queen's Indian defense.
The win gave Turqueza the solo lead with 4.5 points, a half point ahead of International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia.
"Still a long way to go and I hope i can sustain my momentum going to the crucial round." said Turqueza, who brought downed Singapore based Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr. in Round 4 after 55 moves of London System Opening.
Garcia, part of the coaching staff of Ateneo de Manila University chess team, on the other hand, halved the point with defending champion International Master Haridas Pascua in Round 5 after 30 moves of London System Opening.
"I hope to do well in this event," said Garcia, winner over International Master Chito Garma in Round 4 after 40 moves of Queen's Indian defense.
After losing to International Master Paulo Bersamina in Round 4 after 41 moves of Caro-kann defense, 13th times Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. bounced back in contention by edging Suelo after 20 moves of Sicilian Alapin in Round 5 and jacked up his total to 3.5 points for solo third place.
Bersamina, meantime scored his second straight wins at the expense of Jeth Romy Morado in Round 5 after 53 moves of Nimzo-indian defense to led the group of 3.0 pointers that includes Pascua and Grandmaster John Paul Gomez.
Gomez beat Jonathan Maca Jota in Round 4 after 34 moves of Sicilian defense then drew with Garma in Round 5 after 30 moves of French defense.
National Master Rolando Andador, meantime beat Morado in Round 4 after 63 moves of Pirc defense then subdued Jota in Round 5 after 79 moves of Larsen Opening.
The week-long event supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. , the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Alphaland Mall is a qualification tournament to determine the member of the Philippine Team bound for 2018 Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia on September 23 to October 7, 2018.
In the distaff side, Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego trounced Woman Fide Master Michelle Yaon in Round 3 after 58 moves of Sicilian defense and agreed a draw with Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy in Round 4 after 55 moves of English Opening to create a two-way tie for first place with Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza. Marie Antoinette and Shania Mae, both tallied 3.0 points apiece after four games of play.
Shania Mae split the point with last year champion Woman International Master Bernadette Galas in Round 3 after 30 moves of Sicilian defense then outclassed Jerlyn Mae San Diego in Round 4 after 60 moves of Vienna Opening. Jerlyn Mae who shocked defending champion Galas in Round 2 drew with Doroy in Round 3.
Doroy, a 16 years-old student of Nazareth School of National University whose stint is being supported by National University team manager Samson Go and United States Chess Federation master Jose "Jojo" Aquino Jr., is in solo third place position with 2.5 points, half point ahead of Yaon, Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia, Woman International Master Catherine Perena-Secopito and Woman International Master Mikee Charlene Suede who totes 2.0 points each.
Tournament director is NCFP executive director Red Dumuk assisted by NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, Fide National Arbiters Noel Morales and Roy Madayag.(Marlon Bernardino)
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photo caption: (Photo by Noel Morales)
Fide Master Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza (right) toppled International Master Richelieu Salcedo III to assume solo lead after the fifth round of the 2018 National Chess Championship dubbed as Trip To Batumi Grand Finals being held at the Second Floor, Activity Hall, Alphaland Makati Place in Malugay Street, Makati City late Tuesday. The San Beda University top player Turqueza played superbly with the white pieces to clinch the win over Salcedo after 28 moves of Queen's Indian defense.
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Standings After Round 5 (Men's division, Single Round Robin Format, 12 player's field)
4.5 points---FM Mari Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza
4.0 points---IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
3.5 points---GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.
3.0 points---IM Paulo Bersamina, IM Haridas Pascua, GM John Paul Gomez
2.5 points---NM Rolando Andador, Jeth Romy Morado
2.0 points---IM Richelieu Salcedo III
1.0 point---IM Chito Garma
0.5 point---FM Roberto Suelo Jr.,Jonathan Maca Jota
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Standings After Round 4 (Women's division, Single Round Robin Format, 10 player's field)
3.0 points---WIM Marie Antoinette San Diego, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza
2.5 points---WFM Allaney Jia Doroy
2.0 points---WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WIM Catherine Perena-Secopito, WFM Michelle Yaon, WIM Mikee Charlene Suede
1.5 points---Jerlyn Mae San Diego, WIM Bernadette Galas
0.5 point--- WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales