Sadorra joins chess leaders

MANILA, Philippines - US-based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra trounced Fide Master Paulo Bersamina to join four foreign GMs in the lead in the second round of the Philippine International Chess Championship at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City yesterday.

Russians Anton Demchenko and Mikhail Mozharov and Georgians Levan Pantsulaia and Merab Gagunashvili also disposed of their respective Filipino rivals to pace the Open division of the $30,000 tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission and Puregold.

Demchenko, the second seed, beat GM Darwin Laylo; Mozharov downed IM Haridas Pascua, Pantsulaia bested GM Eugene Torre, while Gagunashvli crushed GM Richard Bitoon.

Veteran GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and top seed GM Ivan Popov of Russia drew their match to lead the 1.5 pointers in the nine-round tournament.