San Diego takes solo lead in Asean chessfest
The Manila Times · 11/7/2026, 12:04:00 AM Philippine time
Excerpt from The Manila Times. Read the original report below for the complete story.SINACABAN, Misamis Occidental — As her more illustrious Filipino compatriots fell on the wayside, Woman International Master (WIM) Marie Antoinette San Diego was on fire on a humid Thursday, posting back-to-back wins against foreign rivals to seize the women's open solo leadership before the 7th Asean Individual Chess Championships took a break here Friday.After an impressive victory over Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Altan-Ulzii Enkhtuul of Mongolia, San Diego played with more confidence in handling the white pieces on Thursday afternoon's fifth round, besting erstwhile unbeaten and frontrunner WIM Bordoloi Pratitee of India in 41 moves of the Queen's Gambit Declined.So dominant was San Diego's execution in taking the opening advantage that it led to a favorable tactical melee, thus paving the way for Pratitee to lose a rook, then her queen.The 27-year-old San Diego from Dasmariñas City now has 4.5 points as she handles black at the top board opposite Indian WIM Shakira Devi Herfesa, who has 4.0 points, when the games resume on Saturday here…