6 Pinoy woodpushers gain share of top spot

FILIPINO woodpushers managed to chalk up victories that gave them a share of the lead in the 10th IGB Dato Arthur Tan International Open Chess Championship 2013 at the five-star Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Filipino Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, International Master Oliver Dimakiling, Fide Masters Roderick Nava and Randy Segarra, National Masters Ali Branzuela and Roel Abelgas posted their second straight wins to gain a share of the lead in the tournament.

Gomez defeated Sumant Subramaniam and FM Ronnie Lim of Malaysia in succession.

Dimakiling prevailed over Cheah Cheok Fung of Malaysia and FM Yee Soon Wei of Brunei, respectively. Nava toppled Justin of Malaysia and WFM Fransisca Fortunata of Indonesia, Segarra trounced WCM Azman Hisham Nur Nabila and Tan Li Ting of Malaysia, Branzuela nipped compatriot Ivan Gil Biag and WGM Ding Yixin of China while Abelgas subdued Dennis Wang of Australia and Camilia Bt. Johari of Malaysia. /correspondent Marlon Bernardino