LYCEUM of the Philippines’ standout Jonathan Jota pulled off another major upset, this time beating defending champion GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. in the third round of the Battle of GMs-National Chess Chsmpionships at Alphaland Makati.
Jota played an inspired game with the disadvantageous black pieces to clinch his second upset win in as many days, while keeping the highly favored Antonio winless so far.
The 20-year-old Business Management student of Lyceum, who upset GM Darwin Laylo in the first round last Wednesday, climbed into a three-way tie for the lead, with IMs Haridas Pascua and Chito Garma with 2.5 points out of a possible three.
Pascua outdueled reigning national junior champion John Marvin Miciano, while Garma split the point with United States-based GM Rogelio Barcenilla, Jr. to join Jota in the lead in the 12-player, round-robin tournament or organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Top seed GM John Paul Gomez and IM Paolo Bersamina battled to a draw to share fourth to sixth places, with Jeth Romy Morado with two points
Morado split the point with Michael Concio, at 12 the youngest participant.
Laylo also drew with IM Ronald Bancod.
In the women’s division, Catherine Perena-Secopito leads the way with 2.5 points.