MANILA---THE elusive GM norm continues to slip away for the Filipino International Master Rolando Nolte.
His back to back losses took a toll on his GM norm campaign. He lost to our countryman Grandmaster Darwin Laylo in round 6 and from the hands of the International Master Yoseph Theolifus Taher of Indonesia in round 7 was all it took to break Nolte’s momentum and dash all hopes to nail his second GM norm in this tournament, organized by International Master Roderick Nava of Kamatyas Chess Club and sponsored by AQ Prime Proprietor/ President Atty. Aldwin Alegre.
The former University of Manila standout was to face International Master Li Tian Yeoh of Malaysia in Round 8 in the AQ Prime ASEAN Chess Championship at the Great Eastern Hotel (formerly Aberdeen Court), Quezon Avenue in Quezon City on Thursday.
The Quezon City resident IM Nolte is aiming for a better finish in this 12-man player field, single round robin tournament after losing his GM title bid on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, GM Laylo drew with compatriot IM Daniel Quizon in round 7 on Wednesday to remain tied for the lead.
With four round to go, Laylo, the current reigning National champion together with top seed GM Susanto Megaranto and IM Paulo Bersamina of the Philippines were tied at 1st to 3rd placers with 4.5 points each.
Megaranto split the point with Taher in round 6 and Yeoh in round 7.
Bersamina, on the other hand, defeated Yeoh in round 6 then settled for a truce with CM Khuong Duy Dau of Vietnam in round 7.
Solo fourth is GM John Paul Gomez of the Philippines.
Gomez was beaten by IM Mohamad Ervan of Indonesia in Round 6 but bounce back in contention by demolishing FM Prin Laohawirapap of Thailand in round 7.
Nolte, Quizon, Ervan, Taher and Yeoh were tied at 5th to 9th placers with 3.5 points each followed by Dau and GM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam who totes 2.5 points while Laohawirapap at the cellar dwellar with 2.0 points.-Marlon Bernardino-
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