MANILA---International Master Rolando Nolte is flashing the form that made him a star in collegiate chess in the ongoing AQ Prime ASEAN Chess Championship (Standard Time Control, 12 player's Invitational) on Sunday (February 12) at the Great Eastern Hotel (formerly Aberdeen Court), Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.
Nolte, a former player of the University of Manila, beat Candidate Master Dau Khuong Duy of Vietnam to grab the solo lead after three rounds of the tournament.
Nolte prevailed after 35 moves of the Sicilian Defense using the black pieces to raise his total to 2.5 points.
"It was a tough match and the important thing that I won my third game," said Nolte, who is gunning for his second GM norm.
He earlier defeated International Master Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia in Round 1 and, drew with Fide Master Prin Laohawirapap of Thailand in Round 2.
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez and Grandmaster Darwin Laylo climbed to a share of the second place following impressive wins in the third round.
Gomez toppled top seed Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia after 35 moves of Chigorin defense, Laylo routed International Master Taher Yoseph Theolifus of Indonesia after 45 moves of a Slav defense.
Gomez and Laylo, both have 2.0 points, were tied with Megaranto, International Master Li Tian Yeoh of Malaysia and countryman International Master Paulo Bersamina.
Yeoh settled a truce with Grandmaster Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam after 12 moves of a Catalan Opening, Bersamina halved the point with Ervan after 45 moves of a Sicilian defense.
Ervan and Van Huy notched 1.5 points.
International Master Daniel Quizon subdued Laohawirapap after 34 moves of a Sicilian defense to score 1.0 point, the same output of Taher.
Laohawirapap remains at 0.5 point while Duy at the cellar dweller with no score.
The Champion of this event will have a chance to acquire an IM Title and GM Norm according to International Master Roderick Nava of Kamatyas Chess Club.
The week-long FIDE rated tournament is supported by AQ Prime Proprietor/President Atty. Aldwin Alegre, in close cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the ASEAN Chess Confederation, organized by Kamatyas Chess Club.-Marlon Bernardino-
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