RIYADH, 10 October 2003 — In the 2003 Nescafe Chess Tournament, chess rookie, Ferdinand Patricio of Starbucks Le Mall and Manolo Lozada took the early leads after the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Riyadh’s top Saudi player, Ahmed Al-Ghamdi in Group A displayed his mastery of a Sicilian game against Jeddah Community Chess Club’s Bong Marquez. Both opponents moved their respective pieces with precision based on Sicilian bookline until the 16th move. Marquez apparently lost patience, making a dubious ND5 move on the 17th.

Seizing that opportunity, Al-Ghamdi captured it with his knight, and that was the start of Marquez’s dilemma until he resigned on the 29th move. Al-Ghamdi draw his match with Librado Lacsado in round 3.

Group-B, Pakistani Muhammad Irshad Hussein faced Saudi Fahad Al-Hilal in a Ruy-Lopez encounter. Hussein countered every Al Hilal move and battered Al Hilal’s defense as early as in the 5th move. Hussein’s attack continue unabated until he captured a major piece that forced Al Hilal to surrender in the 30th move.

Hussein halved a point with Russel Sayat in round 3. Ferdinand Patricio, impressed fellow players with his offensive strategy against Benjie Roxas.

Patricio, playing white, opted a bishop opening game and castled his king in the 5th move signifying his readiness for a major showdown. Patricio, after executing an h3 move on the 11th,attacked following his 15th move and Roxas suddenly ran out of tactics and also lost his momentum. Patricio’s one major piece advantage proved to be the deciding factor in the end game. Eventually, Roxas gave up in the 50th move. Rookie player, Joey Franco outwitted JCA’s gladiator Joseph Galindo in a most exciting game in round 3.

Next in line was Rajak Omar who outmaneuvered Willy Sabungan in round 3 after earning a half point in the previous round against Joseph Galindo. Glen Orlina won his matches against Ahmed Khatoa and Mohammed Budair in rounds 2 and 3 respectively.

Results after 3 rounds.

Group B- (3 points) Manolo Lozada (2.5 points) Michael Sangalang, Alaa Hassan, Russel Sayat, Muhammad Irshad Hussain and Nasser Asery (2 points) Bert Porio, Jaime De Leon, Anselmo Seidel, Fahd Al-Hilal, Bernardo Tabelisma, Danny Canoy and Alex Dampil (1.5 points) James Quitalig, Marvin Franco and Jose Cadalin (1 point) Jesus Aragon, Manuel Talidano, William Bennet, Dr. Motaz El Fadl, Jaime Calites, Jerry Calixto, Babu Suresh, Manuel Manalo and Ahmed Alomar (0 point) Froilan Miro, Khalid Al Zamil, Abdullah Mogawan and Abisher Suresh.

Group A (3 points) Ferdinand Patricio (2.5 points) Raja Omar, Joey Franco (2 points.) Benjie Roxas, Glen Orlina Jr. Jose Jacob (1.5 points) Joseph Galindo, Muhammad Budair, Willy Sabungan, Renato Agra and Ahmed Al-Ghamdi (1 point) Pong Mandap, Librado Lacsado Jr. Ahmed Jameel Khatoa and Bong Marquez (0.5 points) Rey Muldong (0 point) Bert Malibiran.