GINIBA ni 13-time Philippine Open champion Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. si National Master Rolando Andador sa 23 moves ng Pirc defense, Austrian attack variation para makisalo sa liderato matapos ang third round ng 2018 National Chess Championship ‘Trip To Batumi’ Grand Finals na ginanap sa Activity Hall ng Alphaland Makati Place sa Malugay Street, Makati City.
Ito ang ikalawang panalo ni Antonio para makasabit sa liderato sa paglikom ng tig 2.5 puntos kasama sina Fide Master Joseph Logizesthai Turqueza, Jeth Romy Morado at International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia.
Si Turqueza, mainstay ng San Beda University chess team, ay nagwagi kay International Master Paulo Bersamina sa 37 moves ng Slav defense habang si Morado, ipinagmamalaki ni Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales ng Far Eastern University chess team, ay tabla kay Grandmaster John Paul Gomez sa 40 moves ng Sicilian defense.
Angelica Yulo, proud na ibinida hakot awards na 'Golden Boy' anak na si Eldrew
Sa panig ni Garcia, nakihati ng puntos kay International Master IM Richelieu Salcedo III sa 59 moves ng Double Fianchetto Opening.
Nakaungos naman si defending champion International Master Haridas Pascua kontra kay Singapore-based Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr. sa 48 moves ng King’s Indian defense tungo sa total to 2.0 puntos para sa solo fifth place.
Tabla din si International Master Chito Garma kontra kay Jonathan Maca Jota sa 61 moves ng Larsen Opening.
Ang week-long event suportado ni National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr. , Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at Alphaland ay qualification tournament para madetermina ang bubuo ng Philippine Team na sasabak sa 2018 Chess Olympiad sa Batumi, Georgia sa Setyembre 23 hanggang Oktubre 7, 2018.
Sa distaff side, winasiwas ni Woman Fide Master Allaney Jia Doroy si Woman Fide Master Michelle Yaon sa 43 moves ng Catalan Opening para makisama sa unahang puwesto na may 1.5 puntos matapos ang Round 2, iskor na naitala rin nina Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia, Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza at Woman International Master Marie Antoinette San Diego.
Tabla si Mejia kay Mendoza sa 58 moves ng Reti Opening , panalo si San Diego kay former Asian Junior champion Woman International Master Mikee Charlene Suede sa 51 moves ng Modern defense.
Sa iba pang resulta, panalo si Jerlyn Mae San Diego kay last year winner Woman International Master Bernadette Galas sa 46 moves ng Sicilian defense habang tabla si Woman International Master Catherine Perena Secopito kay Woman National Master Christy Lamiel Bernales sa 49 moves ng Scandinavian defense.
Tournament director si NCFP executive director Red Dumuk, katuwang sina NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe, International Arbiter Gene Poliarco, Fide National Arbiters Noel Morales and Roy Madayag.
