International Master (IM) Petronio Roca defeated National Master (NM) Mario Mangubat after 57 moves of closed Siclian defense using black pieces to keep the lead after four rounds in the National Seniors Chess Championship Online Grandfinals virtually held at Tornelo Platform on Sunday, Nov.28.
Roca remained on top with 4 points on four wins in 4 outings. He is half a point ahead of International Master (IM) Angelo Young and International Master (IM) Chito Garma.
“I’ll have to play a little more cautiously now, but I’ll go for the win if there’s an opportunity,” Roca said.
Earlier, Roca, a former engineer at PEZA and also a chess coach at Adamson University and Letran College scored victories over National Master Roullo Rolzon in the first round, Nelson Lorilla in the second round and Allan Pelias in the third round.
