Filipino Grandmaster John Paul Gomez blasted International Master Michael Concio, Jr. in 56 moves of a Guioco Piano to keep his hold of the lead with three others after three rounds of the MCPL's Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival Wednesday in General Santos.

Gomez, a 37-year-old who was the country's best scorer with an undefeated seven points out of 10 games in the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India early this year, showed his vast knowledge of the opening and his superb endgame technique to ground the 17-year-old Concio.

Thanks to the win, the Biñan, Laguna native continues to inch closer to winning this nine-round tournament that stakes P1.14 million to the eventual titlist — the biggest prize in recent years.

Also unbeaten and atop the heap of this event that coincided with the 44th birthday of boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Saturday were GMs Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia, Lucas Van Foreest of the Netherlands and GM Pier Luigi Basso of Italy.

Gabuzyan slammed American IM John Daniel Bryant; Van Foreest shackled Russian Konstanin Sek; and Basso waylaid Filipino IM Kim Steven Yap.

In the chase pack just half point behind with 2.5 points were six others headed by FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, who crushed Jeriel Manlimbana.

GM Darwin Laylo, GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden, GM Joey Antonio, IM Cris Ramayrat, IM Rolando Nolte and FM Jeth Romy Morado were in that same bunch of 2.5 pointers.

Panabo City wonder boy, 13-year-old Christian Gian Karlo Arco sustained his Cinderella run as he followed up his stunning win over ninth seed IM Dragos Ceres of Moldova in the opening round Tuesday with two straight draws with Ramayrat and IM Chito Garma to climb to a huge group with two points.