IMs Bitoon, Barbosa share lead in Campomanes chess

Cebuano International Master Richard Bitoon beat Fide Master San Thit Lwin of Myanmar yesterday while IM Oliver Barbosa toppled IM Myo Naing also of Myanmar in a pair of exciting Philippines vs. Myanmar matches in the third round of the Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open Chess Championship 2011 at the Central Hotel Bogyoke Aung San Road in Yangon, Myanmar.

IMs Bitoon and Barbosa tallied perfect scores of 3.0 points to share the overall lead in the tough nine-round competition organized by the Myanmar Chess Federation and the Myanmar Sports and Physical Education Department.

The tournament is being held to honor the late FIDE Emeritus Florencio Campomanes.

The chess competition, participated by 47 Myanmar players and 26 international wood pushers from China, the U.S.A, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and host Myanmar will run until next Monday.

Earlier, the Medellin, Cebu native Bitoon crushed Khore Bean Hwa of Malaysia and Myint Han of Myanmar while the Taytay, Rizal native Barbosa defeated Zaw Win and Nyi Nyi Lwin of Myanmar.

Also with three points each are IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, IM Atanhu Lahiri of India and IM Shen Siyuan of China. The tournament champion will win $3,000.

Meanwhile, reigning Philippine Junior Champion FM Mari Joseph Turqueza lost his third-round match against IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam. The pride of V. Luna Chess Club was stuck at 2.0 points. He earlier beat La Pyae Min and Than Min Hlaing of Myanmar.

The three Filipinos’ Myanmar stint is bankrolled by NCFP chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.