by Marlon Bernardino
Standings after Round 4
3.5 points---IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), IM Mohamad Ervan (Indonesia)
3 points---Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo (Philippines), IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher (Indonesia), FM Jagadeesh Siddharth (Singapore), GM Novendra Priasmoro (Indonesia), IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi (Indonesia), IM Muhammad Lutfi Ali (Indonesia), FM Pitra Andyka (Indonesia)
MANILA, Philippines---International Master Michael Concio Jr. toppled Fide Master Lik Zang Lye of Malaysia after 72 moves of Philidors defense to grab the share of lead after four rounds in the online Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championships 2021 Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at Tornelo platform.
The 2019 Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships ruler improved his total score to 3.5 points, the same output of compatriot International Master Daniel Quizon and International Master Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia.
Overnight co-leader Quizon and Ervan were battling each other for the solo leadership board but ended into a fighting draw after 49 moves of Sicilian defense.
Concio and Quizon, two of the top players of the star-studded Dasmariñas Chess Academy put up by Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas.
Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo of Cabuyao City, Laguna flexed his muscles in the fourth round after yielding to lone Filipino Grandmaster Darwin Laylo in the second round.
The untitled Lorenzo defeated Fide Master Zhuo Ren Lim of Malaysia after 43 moves of Sicilian defense.
Lorenzo, one of the prize fighter of Cabuyao City, Laguna head AGM Dr. Fred Paez beat Richard Natividad of Cebu in the first round and Arena Grandmaster Henry Roger Lopez in the third round.
With the win, Lorenzo led the huge group of 3 pointers that includes his fifth round opponent Fide Master Jagadeesh Siddharth of Singapore, second seed GM Novendra Priasmoro, IMs Yoseph Theolifus Taher, Sean Winshand Cuhendi and Muhammad Lutfi Ali of Indonesia and Fide Master Pitra Andyka of Indonesia.
According to International Arbiter Casto "Toti" Abundo of the World Chess Federation that the top two players will advance to the World Cup set in August in Minsk, Russia.
Fifty-two players from six nations are taking part in the event that has a prize fund of $1,500 (about P75,000) according to National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Senior Deputy Speaker Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. who watched the game live streaming through chess24.com.-Marlon Bernardino-
Photo shows International Master Michael Concio Jr.