Trailing by a full point going into the ninth round yesterday, Donguines refused the offer of a draw by Nadera after the opening salvo, and instead focused on probing weaknesses on Nadera’s game.
"Siyempre mag-o-offer siya ng draw kasi lamang siya ng isang puntos. Pero tumanggi ako kasi naghahabol din ako ng panalo," said Donguines, a member of the Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade (EBDE).
The win enabled Donguines to catch Nadera and NM Rolly Martinez at the helm with 8 points going into the penultimate round in the 11-round event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and sponsored by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. in cooperation with the city government of Mandaluyong.
Martinez, ranked 11th here, downed NM Mirabeau Maga in 53 moves of a Closed Sicilian.
The 30-year-old Martinez outplayed Maga in the middlegame, winning a pawn in the exchanges and forcing his opponent to yield the match after his h-pawn proved to be unstoppable in their rook-and-bishop endgame.
Donguines, a protégé of Maj. Jun Mananquil, the Army’s chess team coach, clashes with Martinez in the 10th round which could well decide the fifth qualifier for the Vietnam SEA Games in December.
Grandmasters Eugene Torre, Rogelio Antonio Jr. and Bong Villamayor are expected to lead the country’s bid in the biennial games along with GM-candidate Mark Paragua.
In the distaff side, Sherrie Joy Lomibao continued her winning ways, beating 13th seed Daisy Rivera after settling for a draw with WNM Joann Toledo in the previous round.
The 23-year old Lomibao, who remained on top with eight points, leads by only a half point over her closest pursuer in WIM Cristine Rose Mariano, and will be taking on the 12th seed Aileen Canos in the 10th round.
"Laban pa rin ako. Kahit tatlo kaming kukunin dito, yung championship na ang target ko," said Lomibao.
Against Rivera, Lomibao was clearly in sharp form, setting a well-laid trap for her unsuspecting opponent before springing a mate via a queen and a rook in the 56th move of their Closed Sicilian encounter.
Aside from Lomibao and Mariano, still in contention are top seed Beverly Mendoza and Joann Toledo who both have seven points heading into the last two rounds.