So maintains a point lead at National Championship

Wesley held to consecutive draws
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
July 20, 2011, 4:22pm

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Wesley So drew his second straight match Tuesday but retained a one-point lead in the National Chess Championship: Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club.

So, held to a draw by International Master Rolando Nolte Monday, halved the point with IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia after 44 moves of a King’s Indian to improve his total to 5 points, a full point ahead of GM Darwin Laylo, GM Eugene Torre and IM Oliver Barbosa.

Laylo split the point with GM Roland Salvador in 31 moves of a French game; Torre trounced Gomez after 32 moves of a Queen’s Pawn, and Barbosa outlasted IM Yves Ranola in 78 moves of a Reti Opening.

Nolte drew with GM Mark Paragua after 46 moves of a Sicilian to share fifth spot with IM Richard Bitoon with 3.5 points apiece.

Bitoon lost to comebacking GM Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. in 38 moves of a Queen’s Pawn London System. Tied with identical 3 points were GMs Joey Antonio and Mark Paragua.

Antonio drew with GM Joseph Sanchez in 27 moves of a Caro Kann while Paragua halved the point with IM Rolando Nolte in 46 moves of a Sicilian.

Barcenilla boosted his tally to 2.5 points in the company of Sanchez, Gomez and Garcia.

More here.