Secopito stuns Indonesian IM

Olympian Catherine Perena-Secopito stunned top seed International Master Irine Kharisma Sukandar of Indonesia in the second round Sunday to highlight the Filipinos’ strong showing in the women’s section of the Asian Zonals 3.3 Chess Championships at Tagaytay City Convention Center.

Secopito forced Sukandar to resign in 61 moves of the Queen’s Gambit Declined to climb to 1.5 points, the same total as Janelle Mae Frayna, who drew with fellow Woman Grandmaster Le Thanh Tu of Vietnam.

WGM Hoang Thi Bato Tram of Vietnam bested compatriot Vo Thi Khim Pung to take the lead with  2.0 points. —ROY LUARCA