Torre beats Indonesian IM in amazing streak in Asian Zonal Chess tourney

TAGAYTAY CITY—Eugene Torre, Asia’s first Grandmaster, continued his amazing climb Thursday night, whipping Indonesian IM Halay Taufik and gaining a temporary share of the lead after four rounds of the Asian Zonal Chess Championships at the Tagaytay International Convention Center here.

It was the third straight victory for the 59-year-old Torre after losing in an upset to young countryman, and Fide Master Haridas Pascua in the first round.

Also with 3.0 points are Filipino Grandmaster Mark Paragua and Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung, who drew their match after 30 moves of a Catalan system, and third round pacesetter GM Darwin Laylo, who is battling Vietnamese GM Cao Sang (2.5 points) at press time.

“I was able to control the G-file and launch an attack,” said Torre, who was quality up with a rook and bishop against bishop and knight when Halay resigned after 43 moves of a London opening.

Torre also beat Emmanuel Emaparado in the second round, then extracted the full point against Edgar Reggie Olay in the last concluded match of the third round late Wednesday.

Laylo, the 2009 Asian Zonal champion, surged on top by besting Vietnamese M. Nguyen Van Huy in the third round Wednesday.

At 2.5 points were GM John Paul Gomez and IM Rolando Nolte, who agreed to a truce in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, and hosted by the Tagaytay City government through Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

Filipino IM Oliver Barbosa (2.5 points) is still gunning for a win against Singaporean top seed GM Zhang Zhong (2.0 points).

The 27-year-old Paragua and Barbosa, who’s bidding for his second GM result, drew their third round match. Cao and Nguyen prevailed over Indonesian GM Cerdas Barus and Filipino IM Oliver Dimakiling, respectively.

Meanwhile, FIDE (International Chess Federation) press officer Nikita Kim praised the organizers for a well-run tournament.

“I’m giving this Asian Zonals a high grade,” said Kim, who was sent here as observer by FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.