Barbosa pulls away in La Union chess

MANILA, Philippines - GM Oliver Barbosa stopped FIDE Master Paulo Bersamina in their Caro-Kann game to keep the solo lead after seven rounds of the La Union Open Rapid Chess Championships at the Ortega gym in San Fernando City, La Union yesterday.

Barbosa’s 45-move win raised his total to 6.5 points, a full point ahead of GM Darwin Laylo and IM Oliver Dimakiling.

Barbosa outduelled Laylo in the fifth round then drew with GM Joey Antonio, Jr. in the sixth to surge to the lead of the event, sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Phils. and the first FIDE-rated rapid tournament.

Laylo bounced back in the sixth round by beating Andrew Casiano but was held to a draw by IM Rolando Nolte in the seventh round.

Dimakiling, on the other hand, stunned Antonio after 39 moves of Petroff to tie Laylo with 5.5 points.

With five points are Nolte, IMs Ronald Dableo and Emmanuel Senador, NM Nelson Villanueva and local bet Ronald Adaya.