Gomez and Megaranto Leads In Blind Chess

 Pix 1. GM Le Quang Liem, Vietnam (Photo by M.Iqbal)

14 November 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Here is a chess bulletin report from the SEA Games organisers in Palembang, Indonesia. Greg Lau of the Malaysian Chess Federation in Indonesia assisted in supplying a copy of the chess bulletin reports. Blindfold chess has both GM Gomez John Paul of the Philippines and GM Megaranto Susanto of Indonesia with 3.0 points each.

Chess in SEA Games XXVI has completed the second round both in the mixed pair category and ASEAN chess category. While the blindfold chess category has completed the third and fourth round, Sunday (13/11).

In the second round of mixed pair chess category, mainstay of Indonesia man player, GM Susanto Megaranto loses to Philippines player, GM Oliver Barbosa. While his teammate in mixed pair chess category, WGM Irene Kharisma Sukandar forced to play a draw by WIM Catherine Perena of the Philippines.

After second round of mixed pair category, Indonesia is in third rank by two points collected after winning in first round against Thailand players, Saphong Hansim and Chanida Taweesupmun.

While the top positions occupied by Vietnam and Philippines players after equally gaining perfect points in two rounds have been played.

In ASEAN chess category, Indonesia player, Taufik Halay only able to play a draw against Vietnam player, Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy, in the first round. While in the second round, he got a bye because this category is only participated by 5 countries which are Indonesia, Vietnam, Philipines, Thailand, and Myanmar. For now on, the top position of the ASEAN chess category occupied by Thailand player, Kongsee Uaychai, after previously defeating his opponents, Wynn Zaw Htun of Myanmar and Rogelio Antonio Jr. of Philippines.

In the blindfold chess category, Philippines player, GM John Paul Gomes won against his own compatriot, GM Darwin Laylo in the first round, and win against Indonesia player, IM Dede Lioe, and twice in a row playing a draw against IM Mok Tze-Meng from Malaysia and GM Nguyen Anh Dung from Vietnam. While Indonesia player in this category, IM Tirta Chandra Purnama played well on the second day, he won two rounds in a row against GM Nguyen Anh Dung from Vietnam and IM Myo Naing from Myanmar. GM John Paul Gomes managed to collect the highest points, followed by IM Tirta Chandra Purnama, who both collected three points from four rounds have been played.

Meanwhile, first seeded in the blindfold chess category, Vietnam player, GM Le Quang Liem, has been defeated in round 4 and only able to collect 2.5 points after overthrowing duo Myanmar, GM Zaw Win Lay and IM Myo Naing and share the points with his compatriot, GM Nguyen Anh Dung in the first round. So he must be satisfied for being ranked third in the standings of blindfold chess category.