AS the rising stars fell one after the other, only three players remain with perfect scores going into the fifth round of the Fide-Rated Individual Open chess tourney at the Limketkai Mall here on Saturday afternoon.
Manila’s David Elorta, Bacolod's Ellan Asuela, and Cagayan de Oro’s Alfredo Rapanot shared a 4-0 record with still three rounds to go in the Swiss System event, using the standard time control of one hour with 30 seconds increment.
Elorta outplayed Antonio Chavez Jr, who was coming from a swashbuckling win over Cipriano Magalso, as Asuela destroyed the French Winawer of Basilio Pandan Jr, and Rapanot pounced on Sherwin Tiu’s weak opening preparation.
Homeground pride Johnnel Balquin and Davao Norte's Christian Gian Karlo Arca, two of the notable stars in the 83-man field apparently lost successively in Rounds 3 and 4.
Balquin failed to recover after bowing down to Uzbekistan tactician Avasbek Ishbaev as he floundered anew against the Rapid expert Kevin Arquero of Manila.
Arca’s unfavorable psychological warfare with the veteran Elorta was evident as he fumbled at the hands of fellow Davawenyo Anthony Mosqueda.
“Wala ko sa hunahuna. Wala gani ko kabalo unsa ako gitira na blangko ko,” Balquin later told Gold Star Daily, referring to his stinging loss to the foreign visitor.
Around P200,000 in total cash prizes plus trophies and medals are at stake in this Fide-rated tourney dubbed as Mr. & Mrs. Leo G. Wabe Sr Memorial Cup.
It will culminate tomorrow with the Team Tatluhan Blitz, offering P50,000 cash to the winning squad.
