Roca still on top in National Seniors Chess Championship Online Grandfinals

Standings after Round 4: (12 player's field, Single Round-Robin, Grandfinals)

4 points---IM Petronio Roca

3.5 points---IM Angelo Young, IM Chito Garma

3 points---IM Ricado de Guzman

2.5 points---IM Barlo Nadera, NM Gerardo Cabellon

2 points---NM Roullo Rolzon, IM Chris Ramayrat

1 point---FM Rosendo Bandal

0 (zero)---NM Mario Mangubat, Allan Pelias, Nelson Lorilla

MANILA---International Master (IM) Petronio Roca defeated National Master (NM) Mario Mangubat after 57 moves of Closed Siclian defense using the black pieces to keep the lead after four rounds in the National Seniors Chess Championship Online Grandfinals virtually held at Tornelo Platform on Sunday, Nov.28.

Roca remained on top with 4 points on four wins in 4 outings.He is half a point ahead of International Master (IM) Angelo Young and International Master (IM) Chito Garma.

“I’ll have to play a little more cautiously now, but I’ll go for the win if there’s an opportunity,” said Roca, whose local and international chess campaign is supported by Dasmarinas Rep. Elipidio "Pidi" F. Barzaga Jr. and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General Teroso "Theo" O. Panga.

Earlier, Roca, a former engineer at PEZA and also a chess coach at Adamson University and Letran College scored victories over National Master Roullo Rolzon in the first round, Nelson Lorilla in the second round and Allan Pelias in the third round.-Marlon Bernardino-