Young Angelo Maintains Almost Perfect Score as Championship Race Heats Up

The tournament has reached its pivotal halfway point, and Philippines’ IM Angelo Young continues to set the pace with an impressive 4.5/5 score. The 2158-rated international master has displayed remarkable consistency, recovering from an opening-round draw to string together four consecutive victories that have established him as the clear frontrunner.

However, Young’s cushion is very comfortable. A formidable chasing pack of four players sits a full point behind on 3.5 points. The quartet includes home favorite Edmundo Gatus (PHI, 2062), American Alvin Pulley (1826), New Zealand’s CM Helen Milligan (1877), and Singapore’s experienced IM Peng Kong Chan (2084).

Standings After Round 5

The Malaysian contingent remains dangerous, with IM Jimmy Liew Chee-Meng, FM Ahmad Ismail, Kian Hwa Lim, and AIM Ahmad Muzzaffar all lurking on 3.0-3.5 points. This international flavor has added considerable spice to the competition, with five different nations represented in the top tier.

Round 6 – The Decisive Battles Begin

Friday’s sixth round at 15:00 local time promises fireworks, with the tournament’s most crucial pairings set to reshape the leaderboard.

Top Board Drama: Leader Young faces his sternest test yet against American Pulley on Board 1. The rating differential heavily favors the Filipino master, but Pulley’s impressive run to 3.5 points suggests he won’t be intimidated by the occasion.

All-Philippine Clash: Board 2 features an intriguing ~~domestic~~ Kiwi-Pinoy battle as Gatus takes the white pieces against New Zealand’s Milligan. Both players desperately need a win to maintain pressure on Young. (update the game ended in a draw)

Asian Masters Collide: Board 3 sees Malaysian IM Jimmy Liew (3.0) face Singapore’s IM Chan (3.5) in what could be the round’s most technically demanding encounter.

The middle boards continue the Malaysian theme, with AIM Muzzaffar squaring off against FM Ismail in an all-Malaysian affair, while compatriots Chay Joon Hoong and Lim Kian Hwa battle on Board 5.

4 more rounds to go!

With four rounds remaining after Friday’s play, the tournament enters its most volatile phase. The tightly bunched field means that a single result could dramatically alter the championship picture. Young’s unbeaten streak faces its biggest test, while his pursuers know that anything less than a win could effectively end their title hopes.

The international character of this event has been one of its defining features, with players from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond delivering competitive chess at the highest level. As we head into the business end of the tournament, expect the pressure to intensify and the quality of play to reach new heights.