THREE grandmasters—two Chinese and one Iranian—will try to break free from a three-way log-jam for the leadership in the ongoing Philippine International Chess Open at the Legenda Hotel in, Zambales.
GMs Wang Hao, Zhang Zhong and Ehsan Maghami Ghaem, with three points apiece, are the centerfold attraction in the today’s fourth round. GMs Wang and Zhong will try to decide who between them is better as they face off in board one, while Ghaem will take on another Chinese GM, Ni Nua, on board two.
Indonesian GM Utut Adianto, ranked sixth, plays the top seed Chinese GM Wang Yue on board three. Both are tied at second spot with 2.5 points. US GM Varuzhan Akobian will challenge Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto in board four.
Filipino Hamed Nouri tries to battle wits with Filipino GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in board five. Other battles have GM Zhao Jun fighting Rolando Nolte, while Cebuano IM Barlo Nadera will tackle GM Shilong Li.
GM Eugene Torre will face FM Fernie Donguines, Julius de Ramos plays Li Chao, IM Wesley So takes on NM Mirabeau Maga, IM Oliver Dimakiling tangles with Arlan Cabe, FM Julio Sadorra tackles Roderick Nava and Rolando Andador meets Indonesian IM Halay Taufik.
Cebuanos IM Richard Bitoon and NM Anthony Makinano take on separate rivals as they seek to increase their output. Bitoon will test Efren Bagamsabad, while Makinano tries to hurdle top RP GM Mark Paragua. JGC
Rhobel Legaspi fights Xiu Deshun and Ian Ted Montoyo faces Zhang Ziyang.
The Philippine International Chess Open is a nine-round, Swiss System format competition with a time control of 90 minutes and 30-seccond increments.
The event, organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and sanctioned by Fide, offers a total prize of $36,000. (JGC)
