A tense top board encounter ended with top seed and defending champion Sergei Tiviakov taking a one point lead with two rounds to go. The acknowledged master of the minimal advantage once again showed this special talent with the advantage of the white pieces.
For Moulthun Ly, a win, even a draw, would have all but ensured his maiden grandmaster title norm but he made his 2600 rated opponent work very hard indeed.
So Tiviakov has 6/7 to be alone in first place while on a large group sharing second to twelveth places on 5/7 are Ly, Richard Bitoon, John Paul Gomez, Nguyen Van Huy, M.R. Venkatesh, Nguyen And Dung, Niaz Murshed, Dhzumaev Marat, Pascua Haridas, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Kirril Kuderinov.
With his win over Fong Yit Ho, veteran IM Jimmy Liew is now the best of the Malaysians with 4.5/7, Yit Ho joining another loser in Yeoh Li Tian and a winner in younger brother Yit San on 3.5/7.
