Barbosa, Paragua remain on top in Vietnam chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 20 Mar 2013
FILIPINO Grandmasters Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua toppled their respective rivals to create a four-way tie for first place along with IM Wei Yi of China and IM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam in the third round of the 3rd HD Bank Cup International Open Chess Tournament 2013 yesterday in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The Taytay, Rizal native Barbosa defeated IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen of Vietnam; the Bulacan ace Paragua edged countryman FM Haridas Pascua; Wei outplayed GM Bui Vinh of Vietnam and Duc Hoa crushed WGM Wang Jue of China.
Earlier, Barbosa toppled IM Mikhail Vasilyev of Ukraine in the opening round then dealt FM Hoang Canh Huan of Vietnam in the second round.
Paragua, meantime, nipped WIM Le Kieu Thien Kim of Vietnam and FM Pitra Andika of India in that order; Wei trounced countryman WFM Le Hoang Tran Chau and NM Stewart Manaog of the Philippines while Duc Hoa dismantled WIM Ni Shiqun of China and CM Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam.
"So far so good, maganda ang inilalaro nina Oliver (Barbosa) at Mark (Paragua) sana mahawakan nila ang kanilang momentum," said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
In the fourth round; Wei takes on Barbosa on Board 1 while Duc Hoa opposite Paragua on Board 2. Meanwhile, GM Darwin Laylo of the Philippines beat IM Duong The Anh of Vietnam to lead the huge group of 2.5 pointers that includes compatriots GM John Paul Gomez and GM Richard Bitoon who ended their game into a fighting draw in the third round. A total of $30,000 cash prize awaits to the winners with the champion getting the lion share of $10,000.
The Filipino woodpushers Vietnam campaign are supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, Grass Roots Development Program Head and Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Ricardo Garcia and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-
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