Phil-Tagaytay joint fourth in Asian chess

Manila, Philippines - Grandmaster Wesley So drew with GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami as Phil-Tagaytay split the point with Tehran (Iran) to finish fourth in the 17th Asian Cities chess team championships won by Shi Jiazhuang (China) in Jakarta, Indonesia last Thursday.

GMs Rogelio Antonio Jr., John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo also drew their respective matches as the second-seeded Filipinos totaled 11 points in the nine-round tournament for joint fourth with Palembang (Indonesia), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Mashhad (Iran).

Shi Jiazhuang (China) lorded it over the field with 18 points, three points clear of Astana (Kazakhstan) while Tehran (Iran) placed a distant third with 13 points.

The Chinese, led by GMs Yu Yangyi and Li Chao, whipped Palembang (Indonesia), 3.5-0.5, in the eighth round then blasted Yangon (Myanmar), 3.5-0.5, to complete their unbeaten run in the tournament.

In the individual standings, So finished tied with IM Gary Lane of Sydney as the best player on board one with 6.5 points.

Antonio finished with 7/9, good for second behind GM Li Chao of Shi Jianzhuang (China) in board two.

Gomez finished third among board three players, posting 6.5 out of nine. He finished behind Abdulrahim Suhail of Dubai (UAE) with 7.5/9 and Wan Yunguo of Shi Jiazhuang (China) with 7/9.

Laylo completed his campaign with 6/9, good for third behind IM Kiril Kuderinov of Astana (Kazakhstan) with 6.5/7 and GM Wang Rui of Shi Jiazhuang (China) with 6.5/9 on board four.