Gomez continues to lead

GM Gomez draws So in 5th rd of Battle of GMs
By Marlon Bernardino
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 08:35:00 05/29/2010

Standings 5 rounds:

4.5 – J. Gomez

4.0 – W. So, R. Antonio

3.0 – D. Laylo, R. Bitoon

2.5 – J. Sadorra

JOHN Paul Gomez settled for a draw with fellow GM Wesley So in their top board match late Thursday to keep the solo lead after five rounds of the 2010 Phoenix Petroleum Battle of GMs National Chess Championships at the Character Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Gomez, who took the solo lead in the fourth round after beating Fide Master Haridas Pascua in 32 moves of the Slav Defense, raised his total to 4.5 points in this event organized by Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., president/ chairman of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with Phoenix Petroleum and the Tagaytay City government under Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr.

“Ok lamang ang draw ko kay Wesley para maipreserba natin y’ung lakas sa mga susunod na rounds,” said the 24-year-old mechanical engineering graduate of La Salle-Taft.

The 16-year-old So, on the other hand, who drew with fellow World Cup veteran GM Darwin Laylo in the fourth round, notched 4.0 points, the same output of another World Cup ace GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. who subdued Fide Master Haridas Pascua in the fifth round.

So, is the two-time defending champion of the tournament of which he has yet to lose.

Here is the full article.