Gomez shares lead with three other GMs
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 14 Dec 2022
MANILA--Filipino Grandmaster John Paul Gomez forged a four-way tie for the lead after scoring a crucial third-round victory in the MCPL’s Manny Pacquiao International Open Chess Festival in General Santos on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Gomez defeated International Master Michael Concio Jr. in 56 moves of a Guioco Piano Opening to share the top spot with fellow three pointers GMs Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia, Lucas Van Foreest of the Netherlands and Pier Luigi Basso of Italy in this event that coincided with the 44th natal day of patron and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Saturday.
Gomez, a 37-year-old who was the country’s best scorer with an undefeated seven points out of 10 games in the World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India early this year, showed his vast knowledge of the opening and his superb endgame technique to ground the 17-year-old Concio.
Thanks to the win, the Binan, Laguna native continued to inch closer to reigning supreme in this nine-round tournament that stakes P1.14 million to the eventual titlist, the biggest prize in recent years.
Gabuzyan toppled American IM John Daniel Bryant; Van Foreest routed Russian Konstanin Sek; and Basso subdued Filipino IM Kim Steven Yap.
In the chase pack just half a point behind with 2.5 points were six others headed by FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, who crushed Jeriel Manlimbana.
GM Darwin Laylo, GM Vitaly Sivuk of Sweden, GM Joey Antonio, IM Cris Ramayrat, IM Rolando Nolte and FM Jeth Romy Morado were in that same bunch of 2.5 pointers.
Panabo City wonder boy and Dasmarinas City, Cavite resident, 13-year-old National Master Christian Gian Karlo Arca sustained his fairy tale run as he followed up his stunning win over ninth seed IM Dragos Ceres of Moldova in the opening round Tuesday with two straight draws with Ramayrat and IM Chito Garma to climb to a huge group with two points.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
The Scariest Division in Boxing
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 01 Nov 2024"Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
Fri, 01 Nov 2024SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 01 Nov 2024WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Team USA Sends Five Boxers to the World Boxing U19 Championship Finals and a Chance at Gold
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Press Conference Notes: Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster Promise to Settle Rivalry in Saturday's World Title Rematch
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Undefeated bantamweight prospect Dominique “Dimes” Crowder Ready to cash in on The Boardwalk
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Kevin Arquero rules 3rd Fide Master Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Plania stops Julio in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024MARIO "EL AZTECA" BARRIOS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Mama fails to win WBO NABO fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Top Rank Presents Junior Lightweight World Championship: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Malik Scott in Zurdo Ramirez’ corner
Thu, 31 Oct 2024GM Daniel Quizon favorite in the Kamatyas Rapid Open chess tournament in Isabela
Thu, 31 Oct 2024