FILIPINO International Master (IM) Oliver Barbosa racked up two straight victories to share the top spot in the DYTM Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Invitational Masters being held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Barbosa stunned Grandmaster (GM) Wong Meng Kong of Singapore in the first round then followed it up with another sterling victory against IM Arghyadip Das of India to start his bid on a bright note with two points.
He is sharing the early lead with IM Jahongir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan, who defeated Filipino IM Richard Bitoon in their second-round match. Barbosa will meet GM Tahir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan in the third round while Bitoon battles GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam.
In other matches, GM Vakhidov blasted IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia, IM Goh Wei Ming of Singapore shocked GM Anh Dung of Vietnam, IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam surprised GM Wong Meng Kong of Singapore.
In Swiss competition, IM Oliver Dimakiling, IM Kim Steven Yap, IM Yves Ranola and National Master Edgar Reggie Olay posted their respective second straight wins to create an eleven-way tie for first place.
Dimakiling thumped Benjamin Foo of Singapore, Yap beat American Hammer Dale, Ranola outplayed Woman FIDE Master Warda Aulia Medina of Indonesia and Olay knocked out GM Cerdas Barus of Indonesia.
