INDIA CHESS: GOMEZ, BITOON, PARAGUA PREVAIL IN 5TH ROUND; BARBOSA FALTERS
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 07 Jan 2012
GRANDMASTERS (GMs) John Paul Gomez, Richard Bitoon and Mark Paragua of the Philippines toppled their respective fifth round assignments in the on-going SDAT-RMK 4th Chennai Open Grand Master Chess Tournament on Saturday in Chennai, India.
The Binan, Laguna bet Gomez crushed FM Gagare Shardul of India, the Medellin, Cebu ace Bitoon nipped Singh S Vikramjit of India while the Bulacan based Paragua hammered Aaditya Jagadeesh of India to stay in contention in the 150 player's field World Chess Federation (FIDE) sanctioned tournament.
Gomez and Bitoon now tallied 4 points and climbed into a share of 11th to 35th placers while Paragua notched 3.5 points for 36th to 72nd placers.
However, another Filipino entry GM Oliver Barbosa wasn't fortunate after yielding to unheralded Chinese player Mu Ke. The Taytay, Rizal star was stuck at 3 points and dropped into a share of 73rd to 123rd placers.
Earlier, Gomez was beaten by IM Vishnu Prasanna of India in the Friday's fourth round; Bitoon dealt WIM Dhar-Barua Saheli of India; Paragua bowed to Narayanan S L of India and Barbosa lost to WFM Mahalakshmi M of India.
Top seed GM Aleksej Aleksandrov of Bulgaria smashed IM Rathnakaran K of India to raised his total 4.5 points and create a ten-way tie for first place.
In the sixth round, the Filipino woodpuhers backed up by NCFP, PSC and POC will test the mettle of Indian counterparts as Gomez opposite Navin Kanna; Bitoon versus IM Debashis Das; Paragua will tangle Hemant Sharma and Barbosa goes up against Harini S.
Backed up by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Ricardo "Richie" Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, the India chess campaign of Gomez, Paragua, Bitoon and Barbosa is a part of the Philippine Chess Team preparation for this year's 38th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
PIONEERING FILIPINO BOXERS TAKE SPOTLIGHT ON FIL-AM HISTORY MONTH (PART I)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 16 Oct 2025BOXING HALL OF FAME RELEASES FALL 2025 LETTER OF APPEAL SEEKING FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
Thu, 16 Oct 2025Mendoza bags bronze
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 20: MUHAMMAD ALI VS. JOE FRAZIER III ON OCTOBER 1, 1975 AT THE ARANETA COLISEUM
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 16 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: History of Boxing in Reynosa, Tamaulipas
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 16 Oct 2025YORK HALL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS CONWAY AND LIDDARD GET SET FOR HUGE DOMESTIC CLASH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Unbeaten Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes Set for Return on October 18 Against Derlyn Hernandez-Geraldo in Long Beach
Wed, 15 Oct 2025JOEL “LETHAL” LEWIS RETURNS NOV 28TH THUNDERDOME 52 – METRO CITY PERTH
Wed, 15 Oct 2025Shane Mosley Sr. Blasts Oscar De La Hoya of Blocking Son’s Title Shot, Calls for Trilogy Fight on Drew & Pris Uncensored podcast
Wed, 15 Oct 2025MASOUD vs McGRAIL HEADLINES BLOCKBUSTER MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI CARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 – LIVE ON DAZN
Wed, 15 Oct 2025WFM Mendoza seizes lead in 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championship
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 15 Oct 2025YOENLI HERNANDEZ KNOCKS OUT RAMON DELACRUZ SENA IN FIRST ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 8
Wed, 15 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER TITLE SHOT CONFIRMED WITH PRESS CONFERENCE THIS FRIDAY
Wed, 15 Oct 2025GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST AMATEUR TALENT IN CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
Wed, 15 Oct 2025SHANNON RYAN: I'M READY TO BRING 'KAOS' TO YORK HALL THIS WEEK
Wed, 15 Oct 2025