Candidate Master Stephen Rome Pangilinan and Woman Fide Master Marie Antoinette San Diego hurdled their respective rivals in the eighth round Saturday to keep the Philippines’ title hopes alive in the Eastern Asia Juniors Chess Championships in Tagaytay City.
Pangilinan beat compatriot Haince Patrick de Leon to share the lead with Indonesian FMs Novendra Priasmoro and Yoseph Theolifus Taher in the boys division.
San Diego bested compatriot Kylen Joy Mordido to share top spot with Chinese Ruotong Chu in the girls’ side.
Erstwhile solo leader Priasmoro got waylaid by Daniel Quizon to remain at 6.0 points, the same total posted by Pangilinan and Taher, who subdued Filipino Jeth Romy Morado. Quizon improved to 5.5 points while Morado remained at 4.5 like De Leon. —ROY LUARCA