After the first three rounds, Filipina Thornton, Ron Sammut and Alfred Demanuele lead on full points having won all their games in this year’s Maltco Preliminaries Championship.

An encouraging total of 33 players are taking part, each pushing for a top-10 finish which will see them qualify to the second phase of the championship – the Candidates tournament in July.

The first round went as expected with more experienced players winning their games.

Youngster Steve Mizzi obtained a draw against higher rated George Caruana while newcomer Tony Ray Camilleri beat Urna Psaila.

In the second round, further surprises were registered when Jamie Farrugia defeated top seeded Matthew Saliba in a highly tactical game, Alex Farrugia beat Ayman Ibrahim, while Alfred Azzopardi had the better of Ian Refalo.

If there was a need to confirm that chess is age proof, the participation of three eight-year-olds – twins Matthew and Luke Fleri, and Ocean Psaila, together with that of octogenarian Demanuele is sufficient. Ten-year old Matteo Stagno achieved a creditable result in the third round, drawing against the rated Claude Licari.

The fourth round will see direct clashes at the top with Thornton playing Demanuele. Sammut will take on Ibrahim, while 10 other players on two points will play each other.

Four rounds remain with games being held at the MCF chess club in Qormi on Mondays and Thursdays.