Cebuano GM Sanchez remains in title hunt

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Joseph Sanchez yesterday battled Sebastien Joie (2326) of France to a sixth round draw to remain in the title hunt of the 26th Cannes Chess Festival at the Lerins Island in Cannes, France.

The Cebuano Sanchez, tournament winner in 2009 and 2011, raised his total to 3.5 points on account of two wins, one loss and three draws in six outings. He shares 17th to 24th spots.

Earlier, Sanchez defeated Christoph Frick (2233) and David Bekker-Jensen (2325) of France in the first two rounds then drew with GM Ruben Felgaer of Argentina (2573) in the third and GM Sebastian Feller (2658) in the fourth round, respectively before losing to GM Tigran Gharamian (2676) in the fifth round.

In the seventh round opponent, Sanchez will face Sebastien Abello (2324) of France in the 10,000 euros tournament which awards 2,200 euros to the champion.

GMs Alexander Fier (2603) and Krikor Sevag Mekhitarian (2487) of Brazil and IM Axel Rombaldoni (2441) of Italy beat their respective rivals to create a three-way tie for first place with 5.0 points each.

Meanwhile, GM Sanchez is scheduled to compete in Cappelle la Grande Open in Cappelle la Grande, France on March 3 to 10 and in the La Roda Open in Albacete, Spain on April 4 to 8. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino