Paragua RP’s No. 2 chesser; Antonio on top

Grandmaster-candidate Mark Paragua has moved up as the country’s second-ranked chess player based on the October ratings released by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The country was finally included in the list after the National Chess Federation of the Philippines paid its annual dues amounting to 6,000 Swiss franks to the FIDE.

The 19-year-old Paragua improved his ELO rating to 2511 from the original 2500.

He trailed GM Joey Antonio (2522) by only a point and was ahead of GMs Eugene Torre who dropped from 2520 to 2508 and Buenaventura "Bong" Villamayor who also slid to 2477 from the original 2484.

Arizona-based IM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla was even ahead of Villamayor with an ELO of 2502, thanks to his fine showing in US tournaments.

Paragua and his father are currently in Nice, France and are scheduled to go to Bastia, France for a tournament.

Mark, fresh from winning the Saverne marathon rapid tournament in France where he had a record of 29 wins, two draws and one loss for 30 of a possible 32 points, is expected to do well in the Bastia rapid event, one of the strongest rapid events in Europe.

On the distaff side, Woman International Master Fil-Australian Arianne Bo Caoili remained on top of the Philippine chess scene with ELO 2250 followed by WIM Beverly Mendoza ( 2132), third Bangkok Open best female player WIM Cristine Rose Mariano (2091), WFM Sherrie Joy Lomibao ( 2082), WNM Minda Flores (2063), WNM Jonalyn Torres (2050) and WNM Rusela Joya (2013).

The other Filipinos in the FIDE list were IM Enrique Paciencia (2454), NM Emmanuel Senador ( 2453), IM-elect Joseph Sanchez ( 2447), IM Idelfonso Datu (2443), IM Richard Bitoon (2430), IM Nelson Mariano II (2420), IM-elect Ronald Dableo (2419), IM Ricardo de Guzman (2417), IM Chito Garma (2415), IM Petronio Roca (2414), FM Fernie Donguines (2413), FM Yves Rañola (2410), IM Jayson Gonzales (2405), IM Rico Mascariñas (2399), IM Angelo Young (2390) and IM Barlo Nadera (2390).