San Diego trails Chinese

Marie Antoinette San Diego bested fellow Woman Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza Thursday and stayed close behind pacesetter Chinese Ruotong Chu in the distaff side of the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships in Tagaytay City.

The victory gave San Diego 4.5 points after six rounds, the same total posted by Malaysian WFM Nur Nabila Azman Hisham, who beat Indonesian WFM Juwita Ardelia Sharfina.

Living up to her top seeding, Chu downed Malaysian Nur Najiha Azman Hisham to raise her total to 5.0 points.

Indonesian FMs Novendra Priasmoro and Yoseph Theolifus also hurdled their foes to pull away in the boys class.

Priasmoro tamed IM Jingyao Tin to climb to 5.5 points and towed Theolifus with 5.0 points. —ROY LUARCA