The fourth round of the Malta Chess Open, held at the Chess Federation’s premises in Sliema, brought the top seed of the competition, Torben Sorensen, Denmark, and the current Malta Champion, Andrew Borg, face-to-face with the latter deciding the first move. In a Symmetrical English opening, a favourite for both, the game was drawn on move 35.

Thanks to the point they shared, Sorensen and Borg have kept their first place at the top of the table alongside with Paul Mizzi who managed to defeat Colin Pace on board two. This was an unexpec ed upset for Pace especially considering that there are only three rounds remaining and he has

not yet played the top two seeds.

On board three the Philippine player Noel Yoro drew his game against Joe Gauci in a very interesting and complicated Sicilian Sheveningen.

Ayman Ibrahim, Egypt, a familiar face for some months now, lost to John Richards while Filipina Aguilar, also from the Philippines overcame the challenge of young Rita Saliba with the black pieces.

Ron Sammut, on board five, defeated the Rumanian Oana Pulpan while Keith Griggs,UK, lost to Horace Cassar.

At the lower end of the table there were good wins for Ray Azzopardi, Ivan Attard and Alexander Farrugia.

These are the draws for round five: 1 Sorensen Torben vs Mizzi Paul 2 Cassar Horace vs Borg Andrew 3 Aguilar Filipina vs Yoro Noel 4 Pace Colin vs Sammut Ron 5 Gauci Joe vs Richards John 6 Griggs Keith vs Ayman Ibrahim 7 Attard Ivan vs Saliba Rita 8 Farrugia Alex vs Azzopardi Ray 9 Aleksandr Urna vs Pulpan Oana 10 DeFlavia Dylan vs Attard Stephen 11 Saliba Daniel vs Gauci David 12 Borg Jonathan vs Agius Daryl 13 Bezzina Andrew vs Bezzina Daniel.