Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua has won an outright Woman Fide Master title; rules XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Aug 2023
MANILA---Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua has won an outright Woman Fide Master title (WFM) by virtue of her excellent showing at the recent XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition at the McCormick Place Convention Center West building in Chicago, Illinois on Friday.
The New York, USA based Megan Althea, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua, drew with Audrey Keyan Li of the USA in the last round to hike her total to 7.5 points on six wins and three draws and rule the Girls 12-under category.
Also with 7.5 points eventual second-place Rae Chen of Canada.
After the tiebreak was applied, however, Megan Althea would finish first overall in the nine-round Swiss system tournament, 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control format which was held from August 12 to 18.
"Megan Althea Obrero Paragua got her an outright Woman Fide Master title at XXXIII Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition. Thank you Lord for all the blessings," said proud father Jan Vincent Paragua, younger brother of GM Mark Paragua.
"I’m so happy with my latest performance and achievement," said the 10-year-old Megan Althea, a fifth grader at Columbia Grammar Preparatory School in New York City.
Megan Althea scored victories over Antia Vazquez Sanchez of Mexico in the first round, Whitney Tse of the USA in the second round, Laura Valentina Pardo Useche of Colombia in the fifth round, Rae Chen of Canada in the sixth round, Arabella Fang of the USA in the seventh round and Iris Nicole Mollo Figueroa of Bolivia in the eight round.
She split the points with Anvitha Penagalapati of the USA in the third round, Olivia Laido of the USA in the fourth round and Li in the ninth and final round.
Rounding up to the top 10 are third Jwalanthi Ram (6.5 pts.), fourth Michelle Zhang (6.5 pts.), fifth Li (6.5 pts.), sixth Fang (6 pts.), seventh Figueroa (5.5 pts.), eight Ellery Zhang (5.5 pts.), ninth Laura Valentina Pardo Useche (5.5 pts.) and tenth Sophia Sun (5.5 pts).
It shall be recalled that Megan Althea wound up third in the Weeramantry National blitz chess tournament of state champions 1800-2199 Section at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
She also finished third place at the 11th Annual WIM Ruth Haring National Chess Tournament at the DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan and won a $2,000 college scholarship and $450 prize for her efforts.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
Thu, 25 Dec 20253-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
Thu, 25 Dec 2025Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 25 Dec 2025Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
Tue, 23 Dec 2025Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
Sun, 21 Dec 2025