GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. toppled International Master (IM) Wan Yunguo of China in 43 moves of French defense in the fifth round on Thursday to join compatriot GM Mark Paragua and four others on top of the Bangkok Chess Club 2013 at the Dusit Thani Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand.
Paragua managed only a draw opposite IM Roy Saptarshi of India after 73 moves of Sicilian defense, dragon variation in their rook and pawn endgame.
Antonio, Paragua and Saptarshi have 4.5 points in five outings, the same output of GM Levente Vajda of Romania, GM Zhao Zong-Yuan of Australia and GM Ralf Akesson of Sweden.
Zhao split the point with GM Jan Gustaffson of Germany, Vajda beat GM John Paul Gomez after 37 moves of French defense while Akesson defeated GM Oliver Barbosa after 41 moves of Slav defense. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino