Torre shares Pichay lead

MANILA, Philippines - GM Eugene Torre beat FM Anjas Novitas of Indonesia in a tense second-round showdown to gain a share of the lead in the second Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Cup International Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel in Subic yesterday.

 Torre, 59, outplayed Novitas in a rook and bishop against a queen ending to pull off the victory in 68 moves of the Guioco-Piano.

The win enabled the 13th-seeded Filipino legend to join 14 others in the lead in the early going of the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).

Torre’s third-round opponent is second seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore, who eked out a similar hard-earned victory over Zeng Chongsheng of China.

Other two pointers are GM Mark Paragua, who outduelled compatriot Emmanuel Senador in 34 moves of the Tarrasch; GM Darwin Laylo, who subdued WGM Irine Khrisma Sukandar of Indonesia in 65 moves of the Caro-Kann; GM John Paul Gomez, who downed IM Yves Ranola; and IM Richard Bitoon, who crushed Guo Qi of China in 45 moves of the Queen’s Indian.