By Lily O. Ramos
MANILA, (PNA)– Grandmaster John Paul Gomez bested International Master Richilieu Salcedo III in 30 moves of French defense using the black pieces late Tuesday to maintain solo leadership in the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila.
Gomez improved his total to 12.0 points after four rounds. The event is using the Torre-Pichay scoring system, a method formulated by Torre and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. where a win is equivalent to three points, a draw is 1.5 points, a loss is zero, and a stalemate is 1.5 for the last player to make a move and 0.5 to the player who can no longer make a move.
Salcedo, top player of multi-titlist Far Eastern University committed a great blunder on 18th move putting his knight at d2 square allowing Gomez a pawn push at g5 square threatening Salcedo’s Dark Bishop at f4 square.
Twelve-time national open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. split the point with Asia’s First GM Eugene Torre after 31 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening in the fourth round to raise his score to nine points on two wins and two draws.
Smarting from a third round setback to GM Antonio on Monday, International Master Joel Pimentel toppled National Master Narquinden Reyes after 28 moves of Benko Gamit defense and improve to 7.5 points on two wins, one draw and one loss, the same output of International Master Emmanuel Senador, who brought downed defending champion GM Mark Paragua after 28 moves of Sicilian defense.
US-based GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla beat Fide Master Roderick Nava after 57 moves of English Opening to remain in contention with 6.5 points on account of a win and three draws.
GM Oliver Barbosa scored his fourth straight draw, this time against GM Darwin Laylo after 31 moves of King’s Indian attack to stay in contention with six points.
Also with six points is GM Richard Bitoon who dealt FM Jony Habla after 24 moves of Caro-Kann defense. The Medellin, Cebu ace Bitoon tallied two wins and two loses.
In the distaff side WIMs Janelle Mae Frayna and Beverly Mendoza continued their winning ways with four wins after four rounds.
Frayna, the top player of Far Eastern University, walloped Arvie Lozano after 75 moves of King’s Indian attack, while Mendoza toppled WIM Catherine Perena after 39 moves of Center Counter game.
Woman National Master Jedara Docena subdued Lucelle Bermundo after 28 moves of Modern defense as well WIM Bernadette Galas smashed WFM Rulp Ylem Jose after 56 moves of Queens Gambit Declined.
Villa Mae Cabrera, who took the place of Woman National Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda, battled Jean Karen Enriquez to a draw after 54 moves of Sicilian defense.
The game between Ynna Sophia Canape against WFM Cherry Ann Mejia, WFM Shania Mae Mendoza against Gladys Hazelle Romero also ended into a fighting draw.
The tournament is being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and secretary-general Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., and supported by the Philippine Sports Commisison (PSC), headed by chairman Ricardo “Richie” Garcia and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), at the helm is president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.
NCFP executive director GM Jayson Gonzales is the tournament director, while IA Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter.