Datu only one point shy of chess open final

National Master Idelfonso Datu drew with top seed International Master Richard Bitoon in 17 moves of an English Opening to remain on top after yesterday’s eighth round in the National Open Chess Championship at the Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

Datu, a two-time Olympiad veteran, now has 7.5 points, a point away from clinching the first of the nine available slots in the finals where Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio, Jr. and Buenaventura Villamayor are already seeded.

While Datu opted to take a breather after an amazing seven-win run, four chessers led by unheralded NM Edgar Reggie Olay of Davao City made their moves to close in on the leader with seven points.

Olay, a former national junior titlist, stunned sixth pick IM Chito Garma in a controversial 53-move win of a Sicilian Defense. — Joey Villar