MANILA, Philippines---International Master Michael Concio Jr. of the Philippines outdueled International Master Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia after 55 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening in the sixth to gain a share of the lead in the Hybrid Online Zone 3.3 Zonal Chess Championships 2021 Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Tornelo platform.
The victory hiked Concio’s output to 5 points as he joined International Master Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia in the lead with three rounds left in the nine-round tournament organized by the Asian Chess Federation in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
"I just played my best tonight. Every time you play, you have to bring your A-grade game." said Concio, one of the members of the star-studded Dasmarinas Chess Academy put up by Rep. Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and national coach Fide Master Roel Abelgas.
Ervan, on the other hand, checkmated Fide Master Jagadeesh Siddharth of Singapore after 50 moves of Petroff defense to catch up Concio on top of the leaderboard. Another Filipino entry International Master Daniel Quizon salvaged a draw in a losing endgame against International Master Sean Winshand Cuhendi of Indonesia after 40 moves of London System Opening to create a five-way tie for third with 4.5 points each that includes Cuhendi, second seed Grandmaster Novendra Priasmoro and International Master Yoseph Theolifus Taher of Indonesia and International Master Tin Jingyao of Singapore.
Priasmoro smothered mate countryman International Master Muhammad Lutfi Ali after 34 moves of Sicilian defense, Taher upset compatriot top seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto after 22 moves of English Opening while Jingyao trounced National Master Merben Roque of the Philippines after 41 moves of London System Opening.
Also moving up in contention with four points are Siddharth, Fide Master Lik Zang Lye of Malaysia and Ellan Asuela of the Philippines.
Lye split the point with lone Filipino Grandmaster Darwin Laylo after 35 moves of Slav defense while Asuela beat Kai En Keok of Malaysia after 36 moves of Sicilian defense.
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-
Standings after Round 6
5 points---IM Michael Concio Jr. (Philippines), IM Mohamad Ervan (Indonesia)
4.5 points-IM Yoseph Theolifus Taher (Indonesia), IM Daniel Quizon (Philippines), GM Novendra Priasmoro (Indonesia), IM Sean Winshand Cuhendi (Indonesia), IM Tin Jingyao (Singapore)
4 points---FM Jagadeesh Siddharth (Singapore), FM Lik Zang Lye (Malaysia), Ellan Asuela (Philippines)
