Joel Delfin is starting to make note of his bid to rule the ongoing 3rd AQ Prime Fide Standard Chess Open being held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
Delfin followed up his smashing upset win over International Master Barlo Nadera in the second round with another impressive draw over International Master Rolando Nolte in the third round on Sunday, October 29, to raise his tally to 2.5 points.
The 32 years old Delfin brought down Arwin Chris Hernandez after 59 moves of Caro-Kann Defense in the first round.
Fondly called BNM or "Blitz National Master" in the chess community because of his knack of winning in shorter time control and time pressure games, already gained 28 Elo rating points in the first three rounds of the tournament.
He is currently tied at fourth to ninth spots with FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, Alfredo Balquin Jr., Arena Grandmaster Kimuel Aaron Lorenzo, National Master Ivan Travis Cu and his fourth round opponent International Master Ronald Bancod.
Bancod drew with Balquin Jr., Bacojo drew with Lorenzo, and Cu outclassed Johnson Mancenido in round 3.
FIDE Master Noel Dela Cruz, meanwhile, defeated National Master Kim Kenneth Santos to grab a share of the lead with International Master Paulo Bersamina and International Master Daniel Quizon at 3.0 points.
The FIDE-rated, 9-rounds Swiss system standard chess event with 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control will continue on November 2 at the same venue.
The tournament, hosted by AQ Prime Entertainment CEO Aldwin Alegre, offers a P50,000 prize to the champion.