From childhood friends to co-champs: Sadorra, Paragua rule Chesapeake Open chess

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino Grandmasters Julio Catalino Sadorra and Mark Paragua downed their seventh and final round foes to share the title in the recently concluded 9th Chesapeake Open in the United States.

Sadorra, 30, trounced International Master Tegshsure Enkhbat while Paragua, 32, downed countryman GM Oliver Barbosa to finish tied for first place and unbeaten with six points on four wins and a pair of draws.

It was Sadorra's first victory in the US this year after winning nine tournaments there a year back.

"I'm happy to win it with a countryman and a childhood friend," said Sadorra, a 2013 University of Texas at Dallas graduate in business administration.

Sadorra, who drew with reigning world chess champion GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway in last year's World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, said he is using this event in preparation for the Asian Zonals on February 24 here in the Phl and the Asian Continental Championships in March.

"I'm joining the two events which serve as qualifiers to the World Cup," said Sadorra.

Barbosa wound up in a group at seventh with four points apiece.

Sadorra, Paragua and Barbosa have all played for the country in the Olympiad and have stayed as Filipinos.