AFTER taking a Christmas Day break, Filipino campaigners stayed sharp, with Woman International Master Shania Mendoza scored four wins after five matches to share the lead in the women’s side even as 20-year old Jan Emmanuel Garcia also tied for the lead in the men’s side after five rounds in the 3rd ASEAN JAPFA Chess Championship in Bakasi City in Indonesia.
The 17-year old Mendoza played the black pieces of the French Defense opening with precision to crush WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia, who quit after 65 moves on the face of the Pinay WIM’s relentless attack.
Mendoza, however, settled for a draw in the 5th round against Woman Candidate Master Nur Nabila Hisham Zaman of Malaysia to tie WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung of Vietnam on four points apiece.
Another Pinay bet, 19-year old WIM anelle Mae Frayna, drew her games in round 4 and round 5 against WCM Azman and WIM Bernadette Galas, respectively.
The draws dropped her in a tied for 3rd to 4th places together with WIM Chelsie Sihite of Indonesia. Galas, meanwhile, is currently tied for 5th to 7th place to remain in contention for the championship with still six rounds to go.
The Filipino campaigners were earlier greeted by NCFP President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. and NCFP Vice President for Luzon and committee Chairman for grassroots development and promotions Cong. Neri Javier Colmenares, who sent their greetings and congratulations through Executive Director GM jayson Gonzales, who is the coach and head of delegation for Team Philippines.
Garcia, meanwhile, beat IM Zaw Htun Wynn in the fourth round, while drawing with top seed GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia after only 12 moves of an English Defense. The results put Garcia in a tie for the lead with Fide Master Yeoh Li Tian of Malaysia.
But GM Darwin Laylo was not as lucky, as he was upset by 18-year old IM Wishand Cuhendi Sean of Indonesia in their Caro Kann Defense.
IM Paulo Bersamina, 17, has five dreaws in as many rounds for 2.5 points to stay tied for 6th place to 8th places.
