Sadorra, Gonzales whip rivals, gain share of lead

SUBIC – GM-candidate Julio Catalino Sadorra downed IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar to share the lead with GM-elect Jayson Gonzales after three rounds in the 2008 Subic Open International Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center here Sunday.

Gonzales, hoping to atone for a dismal showing in the recent Battle of GMs in Manila, scored a follow-up to his victories over Jan Garcia and Wahono Awan of Indonesia by subduing GM Bong Villamayor.

The twin triumphs gave Gonzales and Sadorra, who earlier beat Xu Tong of China and compatriot Hamed Nouri, the solo lead with three points.

GM Wesley So trounced IM Barlo Nadera  while Rolando Nolte toppled GM Win Lay Zaw of Myanmar to lead five other players with 2.5 points in the nine-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Phils.

IM John Paul Gomez outplayed WIM Irene Sukandar of Indonesia; Rolando Andador overwhelmed IM Tirto of Indonesia; IM Hafizulhelmi Mas of Malaysia shocked GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and IM Richard Bitoon drew with IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia to join So and Nolte.

Top seed Yuriy Kuzubov was held to another draw, this time by unheralded Dino Ballecer for his second point.

GM Eugene Torre also halved the point with Emmanuel Senador while third seed GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia drew with Oliver Barbosa to join Kuzubov and 19 others with two points.

In other results, unheralded Henry Lopez pulled the rug from under IM Salor Sitanggang of Indonesia, while Rolando Andador, who nipped IM Tirto of Indonesia.

IM Chito Garma bested Xu Tong of China; Rustum Tolentino downed  Yunguo Wan of China;  Kosasih Cecep of Indonesia outsteadied FM Adrian Pacis;  Shen Siyuan of China stopped Karl Victor Ochoa; Nicomedes Alisangco  tripped Kaiqi Yang of China; and Cristy Lamiel Bernales humbled Ai Jakiah of Indonesia.