Barbosa takes solo lead in AFPI rapid chess tilt

International Master  (IM) Oliver Barbosa claimed the solo leadership in the 2011 Artillery Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (AFPI) “Chess for a Cause”  national rapid chess championships after winning his sixth-round match on Sunday at the Philippine Army Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City.

The Cainta, Rizal native Barbosa defeated ertswhile co-leader FM Fernie Donguines to secure 6.0 points in the standings after six rounds.

Eight players were a full point away from Barbosa with 5.0 points.

They are Donguines, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., IMs Rolando Nolte, Chito Garma and Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Alcon John Datu, Nelson Villanueva and Raymond Salcedo.

Antonio halved a point with GM Mark Paragua, Nolte split a point with GM Darwin Laylo, Garma routed NM Alex Milagrosa, Garcia toppled Antonio Chavez, Datu defeated NM Rolando Andador, Villanueva nipped Jerry Areque and Salcedo upset IM Richard Bitoon.

In the women’s division, WIM Catherine Pereña won over Jenny Rose Palomo to retain the solo lead with 5.5 points.

WFM Cherry Ann Mejia defeated WFM Rulp Ylem Jose in the other featured match in the distaff side to remain in second place with 5.0 points.

The champion and runner-up in the women’s division will earn the right to represent the country in the rapid event of the Southeast Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Mark James Marcellana upset top-seed Giovanni Mejia to grab the solo lead in the Kiddies division with 5.5 points after six rounds.