So, Cebu’s Sevillano tie for first in Vegas tourney

INTERNATIONAL Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia drew with compatriot Fide Master Haridas Pascua in yesterday’s sixth round to create a four-way tie for second place in the Standard event of the 14th ASEAN + Age Group Chess Championships at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Garcia and Pascua raised their total to 4.0 points, the same output of compatriot National Master Alcon John Datu and FM Mohamad Satibi of Indonesia.

Datu toppled FM Sumiya Bilguun of Mongolia while Satibi lost to overnight solo-leader FM Nguyen Van Hai of Vietnam. Nguyen who beat Garcia in the fourth and Datu in the fifth round remains on top with 5.5 points in the Open Under-20 division of the Standard competition.

In the Girls 20 and under bracket, WFM Marie Antoinette San Diego drew with countrywoman WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda while WIM elect Janelle Mae Frayna lost to WIM Vo Thi Kim Phung of Vietnam.

San Diego moved to solo third with 4.0 points while Vo shared the lead with countryman WIM Hoang Thi Nhu Y with 4.5 points. Frayna remains at 3.5 points while Fronda has 3.0 points.

In the Open Under-16 division, Jerad Docena of Bohol subdued Nguyen Tri Thien of Vietnam to score 4.5 points, the same output of CM Azarya Jodi Setyaki of Indonesia who beat NM Giovanni Mejia.

Reigning World Youth U-10 Champion FM Nguyen Anh Khoi of Vietnam drew with Filipino FM Paulo Bersamina to remain on top with 5.0 points. Bersamina has 4.0 points along with FM Lu Chan Hung of Vietnam.

In the Girls 16-U, overnight solo leader Ella Grace Moulic of Davao City failed to continue her winning run after losing to WFM Dao Thi Lan Anh of Vietnam. Dao grabbed the solo lead with 4.5 points while Moulic remained at 4.0. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino