Pascua, Garma remain at helm

MANILA, Philippines — GM-candidate Haridas Pascua, Jonathan Jota and IM Chito Garma maintained their share of the lead as draws marked the sixth round of the Battle of GMs-National Chess Championships at Alphaland Makati.

Pascua, who is hoping to become the country’s next GM, settled for a draw with IM Paulo Bersamina, while Jota, who is proving to be the tournament’s surprise package with a string of upset victories, halved the point with Michael Concio Jr.

Garma, at 53 one of the oldest participants in the tough, 12-player field, also split the point with top seed GM John Paul Gomez.

Pascua, Jota and Garma now have 4.5 points in six rounds in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed by president Prospero “Butch”  Pichay and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

GM Darwin Laylo and Jeth Romy Morado also drew their match.

Reigning national junior champion John Marvin Miciano was the day’s lone winner.

Miciano toppled IM Ronald Bancod to improve to 1.5 points.

Women’s division matches saw De La Salle University standout Bernadette Galas outplay Michelle Yaon and Marie Antonette San Diego draw with Francoi Marie Magpily.