JEDDAH, 17 October 2003 — The 4th and 5th games of the 2003 Nescafe Chess Open tournament being held in Al Faf Hotel witnessed a fierce battle between Joey Franco and Rajak Omar in Group-A. Joey Franco, who had the black pieces, deviated very early from the Sicilian Defense game, which he earlier converted into Caro Kann Defense game. Rajak Omar took time to resolve strategic problems after the incursion of Joey’s knight in C4 square.
On the 15th, Joey executed the dubious pawn E5 move confronting Omar D4 pawn that compelled him to trade off, which paved the way for the opening of D-file, thereby exposing both queen piece.
On the 19th moves onward it witnessed the slight skirmishes, maneuvering and positioning of minor pieces that eventually headed to the showdown of rook pieces on the 22nd and 23rd moves.
Omar, following the landing of his knight piece on enemy’s territory-D5 square, was able to put pressure on Joey’s queen side, who was forced to defend his pawns in A,B and C lines. Omar’s unabated invasion of Joey kingside territory caused severe havoc that forced Joey to surrender his king on the 39th move. Next on the winning run was Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Al Ghamdi, who won his earlier round against Renato Agra and earned another point against Jose Jacob, Philippine Vice Consul. JCA’s giant, Joseph Galindo who earned a point by forfeit against Librado Lacsado Jr., 2002 Summer Chess Open champion in round 4, won convincingly against Ferdinand Patricio. Meanwhile in Group B, a new entrant from Riyadh, Nasser Asiry also a Saudi, became the unbeaten leader, after defeating Manolo Lozada and Russel Sayat in round 4 and 5, respectively. Anselmo Seidel emerged as a formidable player as he gradually established a niche on this category by stopping the winning momentum of Fahd Al Hilal and Danny Canoy in both rounds.
Pakistani player Muhammad Irshad Hussein of Community Chess Club, who quietly and gradually climbing in the winner’s ladder after beating Alaa Hassan in round 4, but lost to Jaime De Leon in round 5. Results after 5 rounds. Group B- (4.5 points) Nasser Asiry (4 points) Jaime De Leon, Manolo Lozada and Anselmo Seidel, (3.5 points) Muhammad Irshad Hussein and Saya Russel (3 points) Bernardo Tabelisma, Fahd Al-Hilal, Bert Porio, James Quitalig, Alaa Hassan, Marvin Franco and Dr. Motaz El Fadil (2.5 points) Danny Canoy, Michael Sangalang and Manuel Manalo (2 points) Bennet Williams, Alex Dampil, Jerry Calixto, Khalid Al Zamil Abdullah Mogawan (1.5 points) Jose Cadalin (1 point) Jose Aragon, Jaime Calites, Froilan Miro, Manuel Talidano, Abisher Suresh, Ahmed Alomar and Abu Suresh.
