Paragua rules Open, makes Olympiad team

MANILA, Philippines - Grandmaster Mark Paragua scored 2.5 points in the last three rounds, including a final round victory over Fide Master Haridas Pascua, to capture the National Open Chess Championships crown at the Cabagnot Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo Aklan yesterday.

Paragua beat FM Roderick Nava last Tuesday then drew with GM John Paul Gomez before outclassing the reigning national juniors champion to top the stellar field with 23 points and took the No. 2 spot in the Olympiad-bound national team.

Erstwhile co-leader IM Oliver Dimakiling lost to GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Joey Antonio but defeated GM Banjo Barcenilla in the final round to finish with 20 points for third.

Sadorra downed IM Emmanuel Senador to snatch second place with 20.5 points and clinch a berth in the squad vying in next month’s Olympiad in Turkey.

GM Eugene Torre outwitted GM Richard Bitoon in the final round to tie Dimakiling for third but the latter took the last Olympiad slot with a superior tiebreak score.

Top Filipino player GM Wesley So is already assured of a slot while the National Chess Federation of the Philippines has the option to pick the fifth player of the men’s team.

GM Darwin Laylo bowed to Gomez and settled for 18.5 points.

WIM Catherine Perena, meanwhile, topped the women’s division with 23 while WNM Janelle Mae Frayna finished second with 21 points and Jedara Docena took the third Olympiad seat with 17.5 points.

Bernadette Galas barely missed a top three finish with 17 points while Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda shared fifth place with 15 points.