GM JOHN PAUL GOMEZ STILL ON TOP IN NCFP CHESS TOURNEY
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Mar 2018
Standings after round 5:
(Main stage)
5.0 points---GM John Paul Gomez
4.0 points---GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., GM Darwin Laylo
3.5 points---IM Roderick Nava, IM Joel Pimentel Jr.
3.0 points---IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Daniel Quizon
2.0 points---Michael Concio Jr.
1.5 points---Kylen Joy Mordido
0.5 point---Mark Jay Bacojo
0.0---Al-Basher "Basty" Buto, Jerlyn Mae San Diego
GRANDMASTER (GM) John Paul Gomez defeated eight-year-old Al Basher "Basty" Buto to continue his winning run in the 5th round of the The Search for the next Wesley So held at the Activity Hall in Alphaland Makati Place, Ayala Avenue in Makati City over the weekend.
The former De La Salle University ace raised his total of 5 points to stay in course for the top prize of P20,000 active chess tournament bankrolled by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Surigao del Sur. Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr., organized by NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe in close cooperation with Alphaland Makati Place.
Gomez defeated Daniel Quizon in the first round, International Master Jan Emmanuel Garcia in the second round,Michael Concio Jr. in the third round and Jerlyn Mae San Diego in the fourth round.
MVP Olympics PLDT team manager Martin "Binky" Gaticales who watched the game between Gomez and Buto along with fellow NCFP board of directors Red Dumuk and Louie Ramos had something to say to Al Basher, the Philippine chess prodigy.
"Advantage si Al Basher (Buto) at pawn up sa two bishop pawn endgame kaso natalo ni GM (John Paul) Gomez sa experience," said Gaticales.
13-times Philippine open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. defeated Jerlyn Mae San Diego to garner a total 4.0 points on three wins and two draws, the same output of GM Darwin Laylo, who drew with IM Roderick Nava.
Nava whose local and international chess tournament sponsored by Carmona mayor Dahlia Loyola and Rep. Roy Loyola was tied with IM Joel Pimentel Jr. Both of them tallied 3.5 points each.
Meanwhile, tournament director NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe lauded Pichay's undying support for the Philippine Chess.
"We are ushering a new era in Philippine chess! Your NCFP now has the capability to broadcast tournaments live on YouTube and Facebook with multiple DGT boards, interactive chat rooms and real-time computer analysis and commentators who can guide the casual player to understand our royal game! I would like to thank our beloved NCFP Chairman/President Cong. Prospero Pichay (Prospero Arreza Pichay Jr.) for making all this happen! I still remember our conversation where you said that the future is in internet broadcasting. Thank you Sir for your vision to promote chess through internet broadcasting and for supplying the financial wherewithal to make the vision reality!" said Atty. Orbe, president of the Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA).
Atty. Orbe added the 12-man round robin active chess tournament featuring 6 of the strongest Filipino chess masters and 6 of the brightest Filipino chess talents with the aim of developing the country's youth stars and helping sharpen their skills.
All games are broadcast live worldwide through the Youtube channel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines last word of Atty. Orbe.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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