Panopio shines as Manila wrests inter-cities chess lead

Standings after 6 rounds: 5.5 — Manila; 4.5 — Mandaluyong A, Muntinlupa B, Caloocan, QC A; 4.0 — Muntinlupa A. M’lang, Kidapawan A; 3.5 — QC B, Tagbilaran, Claveria, Cotabato, General Santos, Davao, Kidapawan X, Kidapawan B; 3.0 — Tagum, Koronadal, Isulan; 2.5 — Midsayap, Kidapawan C, San Jose del Monte, Bislig, Mati; 2.0 — Surigao City, Nabunturan, Davao Holy Cross (men), Makilala, Kidapawan D; 1.5 — M’lang Kiddies, Kidapawan Kiddies; 0.5 — Davao Holy Cross (women), Tacurong.

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Rodolfo Panopio, one of several players who elected to waive their national master titles, rolled to his third straight victory at board three to lift Manila to a close 2.5-1.5 victory over Muntinlupa A in the National Inter-Cities and Municipalities chess championship Thursday at the Highlander Hotel here.

With its fifth victory against a lone draw, Manila opened a one-point cushion over defending champion Mandaluyong A, Quezon City A, Muntinlupa B and Caloocan going into the last three rounds of the tournament.

Panopio, a fixture in many national tournaments, upset Oliver Dimakiling to nail the lone victory for Manila. The rest of the matches pitting (Manila player first) National Master Ben Flores against International Master Nelson Mariano, NM Rolly Martinez against IM Jayson Gonzales and Truman Hernaez against Jerome Balico ended in draws.

Mandaluyong A bounced back into the title hunt with a 3.5-0.5 crushing of QC B.

Grandmaster Joey Antonio saw his winning streak end at five games, settling for a draw with NM Roberto Suelo. But his teammates were in fiery mood.

IM Idelfonso Datu defeated NM Andrew Vasquez, Rustom Tolentino smashed Ismael Abbas while Edmundo Gatus shellacked Macapagal Paguital to star for Mandaluyong A.

GM Eugene Torre, who is disputing the gold medal with Antonio at board one, picked up his fifth win at the expense of FIDE Master Jesse Noel Sales to lead QC A to a slim 2.5-1.5 squeaker over Tagbilaran City.