MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Joey Antonio and International Master Barlo Nadera downed Emmanuel Emperado and IM Ronald Dableo, respectively, to share the lead after five rounds in the rapid division of the First Eugene Torre Chess Cup-Southeast Asian Games Luzon Qualifying Leg 2019 at the Mapua University gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Antonio and Nadera, both Olympiad veterans, hiked their totals to perfect five points, half a point ahead of a 10-player chase pack with 4.5 points apiece. The chasers included IMs Paulo Bersamina, Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Ronald Bancod and teenage sensation Daniel Quizon.
FIDE Masters David Elorta, Randy Segarra, Adrian Pacis and Mari Joseph Turqueza and Alcon John Datu and Sherwin Tiu were also part of the group.
Antonio and Nadera were playing each other in the sixth round at press time.
The top 30 in this nine-round tournament will advance to the semifinals slated May 24-26 in Passi, Iloilo.
From there, the men’s top 10 finishers and top 13 women will clash in the finals next month for spots in the national team that will represent the country in the SEA Games slated late this year.
Rapid and blitz are part of the SEAG calendar.