TAGAYTAY CITY—After two close victories, the Philippines finally dumped Myanmar, 4.5-1.5, in the third round on Tuesday to pull away from Myanmar in the first RP-Myanmar Dual Match chess team championship at the Lake Garden Hotel here.

Powered by Subic Open champion Grandmaster-elect Jayson Gonzales and International Master-candidate Rolando Nolte, the Filipinos took an imposing 11.5-6.5 edge in the 12-round event being hosted by the city government through Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.

Winning for the Philippines in the third round were Gonzales over Zaw Htun Wynn in 24 moves of the London system; Barbosa over Lin Naing Kyaw (29, Sicilian); Ballecer over Kyaw Soe Kyaw (33, Sicilian); and Andador over Oo Kyaw Nay (65, French).

Nolte settled for a draw with GM Win Lay Zaw in 62 moves of the Ruy Lopez while Myanmar IM Aung Aung handed Reggie Olay his third straight setback in 55 moves of the Benko Gambit.

The Filipinos won the first two rounds of the event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines under Prospero “Butch” Pichay and secretary general Tolentino by similar 3.5-2.5 scores.

Nolte and IM-candidate Rolando Andador scored in the second round, beating FM Lin Naing Kyaw and IM Aung Aung, respectively.

Gonzales, Barbosa and Dino Ballecer drew with their respective opponents.