So, Andador take lead at Subic Open chess tourney

MANILA, Philippines - Dubai Open defending champion grandmaster Wesley So and unheralded Rolando Andador tied for the lead after the eight of the nine-round 2008 Subic Open international chess championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. So gained his spot at the top by dumping IM Aung Aung of Myanmar, while Andador dominated GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia, according to a statement issued by organizers on Friday. In other matches, erstwhile solo leader GM-elect Jayson Gonzales failed in his faceoff against top seed GM Yuriy Kuzubov of Ukraine in what is considered as a drawish match. Because of these developments, So, Andador, Kuzubov, and Gonzales may get in a four-way tie for the lead with six points going into the ninth and final round. So will meet Kuzubov, while Andador will face Gonzales in matches that will determine the outcome of the tournament. "It will be fight to the finish," So said. So will play the white pieces when he faces Kuzubov. The two of them faced each other in 2006, in San Marino, Italy, with So forcing a draw. So, currently the youngest GM in the world, easily subdued Aung, who was forced to resign after 50 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense. But the day belonged to Andador, a policeman from Bacolod City now with the Camp Crame, who upset Megaranto, currently the top player of Indonesia with an ELO of 2561. Andador can win the tournament if he dumps Gonzales and So and Kuzubov drew their ninth round matches. But Andador has yet to defeat Gonzales in six career games. Gonzales was forced to give the match to Kuzubov after a blunder on the 44th move, giving the Ukrainian champion the chance to gain the momentum. Gonzales was forced to resign after 80 moves of a Queen's Gambit Declined. GM Eugene Torre defeated Barbosa and is just half a point down with 5.5 points. Torre won after 61 moves of a Bogo Indian. Torre has 5.5 points, along with Oliver Barbosa, GM Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor, and IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar. Out of contention with only 4.5 points to show are GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., who agreed to another draw with FM Roderick Nava, and Emmanuel Senador, who likewise drew against Yunguo Wan of China. Standings after eight rounds 6 points: Y. Kuzubov (Ukraine), W. So (RP), J. Gonzales (RP), R. Andador (RP) 5.5 points: Z.H. Wynn ( Myanmar ), E. Torre, B. Villamayor, O. Barbosa 5 points: S. Megaranto ( Indonesia ), O.K. Nay (Myanmar ), S. Irwanto (Indoneia), H. Mas (Malaysia), K. Yang (China), Tirto (Indonesia), C. Garma (RP), R. Bitoon (RP), J. Gomez (RP), J. Sadorra (RP), B. Nadera (RP), R. Nolte (RP), R. Olay (RP), D. Ballecer (RP) 4.5 points: R. Antonio (RP), E. Senador (RP), H. Nouri (RP), R. Nava (RP), Y. Wan (China), X. Tong (China), A. Aung (Myanmar), A. Novita (Indonesia), C. Kosasih (Indonesia), A. Wahomo (Indonesia)

- GMANews.TV