Antonio, Short remain at helm in Negros Open

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmasters Joey Antonio of the Phl and Nigel Short of England downed their respective opponents yesterday to remain at joint first after seven rounds of the Piaya Network 2017 Negros International Open Chess tournament at the Ikthus Osbron Hall in Bacolod City yesterday.

Antonio bested countryman International Master Ronald Dableo in 22 moves of a Larsen Opening while Short destroyed Danmaersk Mangao’s King’s Indian in 23 moves to stay tied at first with six points apiece going into the last two rounds.

Antonio and Short, who drew with each other in the fifth round, were now a full point ahead of the chasing pack composed of second seed GM Karen Grigoryan of Armenia, third pick IM Tran Minh Thang, No. 4 GM Srinath Narayanan of India, No. 5 GM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam and Filipino Merben Roque.