GM So beats GM Barcenilla, keeps solo lead

Standings after round 4:

4.0 pts — GM Wesley So

3.0 pts — GM Darwin Laylo

2.5 pts — IM Rolando Nolte, IM Oliver Barbosa, IM Richard Bitoon

2.0 pts — GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, GM Eugene Torre, GM John Paul Gomez

1.5 pts — GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM Mark Paragua

1.0 pt —  GM Joseph Sanchez, GM Roland Salvador

0.5 pt —  IM Yves Ranola

GRANDMASTER Wesley So defeated GM Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr. yesterday to remain on top after four rounds of the National Chess Championships: 4th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila.

The 17-year-old Bacoor, Cavite whiz kid prevailed after 45 moves of King’s Indian Defense to tally 4.0 points, a full-point ahead of second placer GM Darwin Laylo.

“I made too many mistakes. Fortunately, my opponent failed to take advantage,” said So, the event’s three-time defending champion.

GM Laylo defeated Cebuano GM Joseph Sanchez after 49 moves of Slav to improve to 3.0 points for solo second place while International Masters Richard Bitoon of Cebu, Rolando Nolte and Oliver Barbosa are tied at 3rd-5th spots with 2.5 points after drawing their respective 4th round matches.

Bitoon split the point with GM Joey Antonio after 33 moves of Caro Kann; Nolte drew with GM Eugene Torre after 58 moves of Slav and Barbosa halved the point with Ateneo junior standout IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 50 moves of King’s Indian Defense.

GM John Paul Gomez, runner-up to So last year, finally notched a win at the expense of IM Yves Ranola to improve to 2.0 points in a tie with Antonio, Torre and Garcia.

Paragua drew with Salvador in 31 moves of Slav to tally 1.5 points in a tie with Barcenilla.