Laylo, Concio hot on Misamis chessfest lead
DARWIN Laylo survives Ganbat Tenguundala to boost his chances in the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Chess Championship.
Photograph courtesy of NCFP
Grandmaster Darwin Laylo and International Master Michael Concio Jr. pulled off victories in the sixth round Sunday to move half a point off the pace in the Misamis Occidental Philippine International Chess Championship at the AMORAP in the scenic coastal town of Sinacaban.
Laylo bested Mongolian FIDE Master Ganbat Tenguundalai in 42 moves of a Gruenfeld while Concio waylaid Indian Sai Surapaneni Chidvilash in 61 moves of an English duel to each hike their total to 4.5 points, which was good for a share of third spot.
Second seed GM Chackraborty Mayank of India drew with Filipino IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca in 26 moves of a Queen’s Indian while another Indian Soham Bhattacharyya pulled the rug from under Vietnamese GM Nguyen Duc Hoa in 57 moves of a Queen’s Gambit to share the lead with five points each.
Also part of the chase pack were Arca, GM Daniel Quizon, Indian GM N R Vignesh, IM Pau Bersamina, IM Jem Garcia, FIDE Master Phl Martin Casiguran, Indian IM Nubairshah Shaikh Mohammad and Mongolian FM Baatar Batbaatar in this event sponsored by host Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr. and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and WR Chess.
Quizon and Vignesh drew in 21 moves of a King’s Indian; Bersaamina and Garcia split the point in 15 moves of a Ruy Lopez; Casiguran eked out a stunning 37-move draw with top seed GM Evgeny Romanov of Macedonia in 37 moves of a Sicilian Defense; Mohammad smashed IM Ronald Bancod in 36 moves of a King’s Indian; and Baatar trounced WGM Janelle Mae Frayna in 48 moves of a Caro-Kann.