FILIPINO Rolando Nolte battled Ukrainian GM Andrey Sumets to a fighting draw in Wednesday’s 9th of the Vizag GM International Open Chess Championships in India.
Nolte forced the draw using the disadvantageous black pieces to hike his score to 6.5 points after nine rounds of play.
Another Filipino entry GM Richard Bitoon of Cebu won his ninth round match against Malla Nooka Raju of India with the black pieces. The Medellin, Cebu ace raised his total to 5.5 points.
Overnight solo leader GM Abhijeet Gupta of India settled a truce with GM Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan to remain on top with 8.0 points.
In the 10th round, Nolte goes up against IM Lalith Babu MR of India while Bitoon battles Maheswaran P of India. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino