Pinoy chesser in upset win

LITTLE-known Edsel Montoya authored the worthiest of several upset wins when he shocked second seed GM Karen Grigoryan of Armenia to share the lead with GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. after three rounds in the 2017 Negros International Open chess tournament in Bacolod City.

Montoya,  the 33-year-old pride of La Carlota City in Negros,  defeated Grigoryan in marathon 95 moves of the Sicilian Dragon to raise his score to three points.

Montoya, who also won over IM Ronald Dableo in the second round Thursday, is now tied with Antonio going into the fourth round.

Antonio, one of the country’s leading players,  whipped unheralded Merben Roque in  48 moves of his pet Caro-Kann opening.

Antonio sacrificed material early to beat his younger and less-experienced opponent.
   
Montoya and Antonio will dispute solo lead in the fourth round of this nine-round Swiss system competition.
   
Top seed Nigel Short of England was held to a draw  by repetition of moves by IM Minh Thang Tran in a Queen’s Gambit.

Author: Ed Andaya, Journal
Full Article: http://www.journal.com.ph/sports/pinoy-chesser-in-upset-win