Paragua tops 'Battle of the GMs'
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2012
Final Ranking after 15 Rounds (men's)
23 points-GM Mark Paragua
20.5-GM Julio Catalino Sadorra
20-IM Oliver Dimakiling, GM Eugene Torre
18.5-GM Darwin Laylo
18-GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., GM Oliver Barbosa
16-GM John Paul Gomez
13.5-GM Rogelio Barcenilla, GM Roland Salvador
13-GM Richard Bitoon, FM Haridas Pascua
11-FM Randy Segarra
8-NM Giovanni Mejia, IM Emmanuel Senador
6-FM Roderick Nava
GRANDMASTER Mark Paragua, a former child wonder and first Filipino to breach the 2600-barrier in Elo rating, can finally call himself a national champion.
?It?s a dream come true para sa akin. Matagal ko ?tong hinintay,? said Paragua, after beating reigning national juniors champion FIDE Master Haridas Pascua in the 15th and final round of the 2012 National Open Chess Championships at the Cabagnot Training Center in Old Buswang, Kalibo Aklan. He finished with 23.0 points.
Paragua, also a triple gold medal winner during the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, virtually claimed the title on Tuesday when he defeated FM Roderick Nava and drew with GM John Paul Gomez while co-leader International Master Oliver Dimakiling dropped his matches against GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and Rogelio ?Joey? Antonio.
Sadorra finished second with 20.5 points following his conquest of IM Emmanuel Senador while Dimakiling and GM Eugene Torre shared third place with 20.0 points.
In the final round, Dimakiling topped GM Rogelio ?Banjo? Barcenilla while Torre streaked to his fourth straight win by beating GM Richard Bitoon.
Dimakiling earned the third and last outright seat to this year?s World Chess Olympiad with a superior tiebreak over Torre.
Top Filipino player GM Wesley So is already assured of a slot while the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay, Jr. has the option to pick the fifth player of the men?s team.
GM Darwin Laylo bowed to Gomez in the final round to kiss his bid of nailing a ticket to the Olympiad goodbye. He finished with 18.5 points.
In the distaff side, Woman International Master Catherine Perena?s 23.0 points also proved to be the winning score. She was followed by Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna?s 21.0 points and Jedara Docena?s 17.5 points.
The three earned outright seats to the women?s team that will compete in the Olympiad.
Bernadette Galas barely missed a top three finish with 17.0 points while Woman FIDE Master Rulp Ylem Jose, WFM Cherry Ann Mejia and WNM Jan Jodilyn Fronda shared fifth place with 15.0 each.
Supporting the tournament dubbed as ?Battle of the Grandmasters? are the Boracay Chess Club, Aklan Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Lone District of Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores, Club Paraw owned by Malay Councilor Hon. Wilbec M. Gelito and Willy's Beach Resort owned by Gen. Manager Rochanie G. Gadon, Kolai Mangyan owner Mr. Lowell Gucilo and Tawhay Condotel owner Arwen Barrios.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Stars of the show
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 30 Oct 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON SET FOR DECEMBER 13 IN LOS ANGELES
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Carcosia to fight Ogawa in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Oct 2025ERISLANDY LARA VS. JANIBEK ALIMKHANULY MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP UNIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS STAR-STUDDED PITBULL VS. ROACH PPV UNDERCARD ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Santiago City in Veraguas, Panama, hosts a historic WBA world championship night
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Oct 2025Weights From Liverpool, New York
Thu, 30 Oct 2025PERO AND THOMPSON GO HEAD-TO-HEAD AHEAD OF ORLANDO HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH – LIVE ON DAZN
Thu, 30 Oct 20254 Strategic Skills Boxers Can Learn from Online Poker
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Yoelvis Gomez Focused and Ready for Unbeaten Test Against Antraveous Ingram on DAZN
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Spectacular start to the NBA season
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Oct 2025GM Joey bounces back into contention
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 30 Oct 2025JERUSALEM DEFEATS KUSE BY UD, RETAINS WBC CROWN; MARCIAL WINS
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 30 Oct 2025Weigh-In Results: Mary Spencer vs. Mikaela Mayer
Thu, 30 Oct 2025Tapales KOs Toro in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Oct 2025Magramo keeps WBC International light fly title
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Oct 2025