Of Melaka Chess Festival - Day 4 Round 6

With the downing of GM Richard Bitoon by Hungarian GM Adam Horvath in the morning round, GM Attila Czebe also from Hungary, is the sole leader for the International section with 4 1/2 points out of 5 games. Czebe earned the top spot after his convincing win against GM Alexander Fominyh in the earlier round. 

Five players share 3 1/2 points - GM Fominyh, GM Bitoon, GM Deepan and IM Oliver Dimakliing including GM Alfonso Romero Holmes who managed to crawl his way back up to challenge the leading pack. At Table 4, its the battle between 2 Philippines players - GM Richard Bitoon playing the white pieces against IM Oliver Dimakiling.

Tournament leader GM Attila Czebe playing the black pieces against IM Rathnakaran of India

Battle between GM Bitoon and IM Oliver - both of the Philippines

WGM Kruttika Nadig - jotting down her move against Igor Kharitonov

Young Yeoh Li Tian is has a monumental task playing against GM Arun Prasad of India

Eddy Fong making his move as he faces Wakoko Enos of Uganda

Coming from the back, Wakoko Enos now is playing on Table 2 against Malaysian Eddy Fong

Endang Andrian of Indonesia - slipping to Table 3

One of the early favorites, Mohd Ezmi of Malaysia dropping to Table 9 after his lost to Endang mishandling the Grob Opening in Round 5

Tournament hall - the calm before the storm at the start of Round 6

For locals, the most interesting pair will be the one happening on Table 5 where GM Arun Prasad will face Yeoh Li Tian - both with 3 points. Another interesting encounter happens on the following table with Ismail Ahmad going against GM Laxman of India

For the Challenger section, its country pride at stake with Malaysian Rahim Ramli going against Gatot Suyono of Indonesia. Earlier in Round 4, Rahim ousted Suci Rohaya from the leading group after a convincing win against the Indonesian lass. Similarly, Gatot outplayed his younger compatriot Yuranda Irawan to earn the spot at Table 1 in a battle that may decide the sole leader for the Challenger section. On Table 2, Ugandan Wakoko Enos have slowly risen from the lower pack to challenge Malaysian Eddy Fong to have a shot at closing the gap to the top.