Fide Master (FM) Cesar Caturla and Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio Antonio Jr. won while International Master (IM) Angelo Young settled for a draw as the Filipino bets remained in the hunt for medals in the 2019 World Seniors Chess Championships Thursday in Bucharest, Romania.

Caturla beat fellow FM Sorin Giurumi of Romania after 66 moves of English Opening to raise his total to 6.5 points after nine rounds in the +65 division, the same total as Young in the +50 division, where Antonio is also entered.

Rebounding from an eight round defeat, Antonio trounced Indian IM Devaki Prasad in 52 moves of the Ruy Lopez Opening to climb to 6.0 points.

Antonio, the highest ranked among the trio at No. 18, needs to win his last two matches to entertain hopes of crashing the top three.

The same situation applies for the 21st seed Caturla and the 31st seed Young, who split the point with American GM Alexander Shabalov after 55 moves of Sicilian Defense, Dragon variation.

The 57-year-old Antonio, a 13-time national champion, is hoping to duplicate his 2nd place finish in the 2017 edition of the World Seniors held in Acqui Terme, Italy.

The 56-year-old Young who caused a buzz when he bested three GMs in succession from the fourth round, and Caturla, 69, a former Chess Olympian, are competing in the event confined to players 50 years and over for the first time.