Paragua rules Asean Masters circuit leg

Grandmaster Mark Paragua needed only a draw with Indon GM Cerdas Barus to claim the title in the inaugural ASEAN Masters Chess Circuit grandmaster B tournament at Tarakan in eastern Borneo yesterday.

Tournament favorite GM Zhang Zhong (2671) of Singapore settled for a truce with GM Torre to dominate the grandmaster (GM) A category with 9.0 points.

Indon IM Sadikin Irwanto, on the other hand, clobbered compatriot Dewi Citra to clinch the Women International Master (WIM) division crown with 10.0 points.

The second leg of the circuit will be held in Vietnam, then in Singapore before it winds up in Manila.

Players earn grand prix points in every leg that will qualify them for the grand prix fund of $25,000.

As a reward for his feat, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. said he is sending the 23-year-old Paragua to the Aeoroflot Open set Feb. 13-23 in Moscow. He will be joined by 14-year-old GM Wesley So.

This is the first time that two Filipino chess players are competing in the strongest tournament in Moscow.

“That’s a big event. I know they’ll be able to further hone their skills clashing with Russian GMs,” added Pichay, who said he will continue his campaign against mafias in Philippine chess.

“The drive against networking and game-fixing is on top of my agenda. We won’t grow in the sport if players throw away games. The real chess is where protagonists play without dropping their games.”