Paragua qualifies to World Cup; Li tops Pacquiao Asian chess
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 26 May 2013
Final Standings:
7.0 points - GM Li Chao (China)
6.5 points - GM Mark Paragua (Philippines), GM Oliver Barbosa (Philippines), GM Le Quang Liem (Vietnam), GM Baskaran Adhiban (India)
6.0 points - GM Julio Catalino Sadorra (Philippines)
Manila -- Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Mark Paragua earned a qualification to the World Cup in the $100,000 Manny Pacquiao Cup Asian Continental Chess Championship at the Midas Hotel and Casino on Sunday.
Paragua drew with eventual champion Chinese GM Li Chao after 15 moves of Slav defense in the ninth and final round of the Asian Continental Chess Championship for a sure spot in the World Cup, which begins in August in Norway.
The undefeated Tondo, Manila born Paragua finished with a total output of 6.5 points on four wins and five draws in the tournament organized by the GM Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and is sponsored by eight-division world boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Cafe Puro, Alaxan, Oriental and Motolite Corp.
"Masaya po ako kasi muli na naman tayo nakapasok sa World Cup," said Paragua.
Li, on the other hand finished with a total output of 7.0 points en route the coveted chess title in the event held under the auspices of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by it's Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., Secretary-General newly-elected Cavite 7th district Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Asian Chess Federation and FIDE (World Chess Federation).
Paragua will join fellow Filipino GMs Oliver Barbosa and Wesley So, who won a Chess Cup qualification through the 2012 Asian Continental Chess (ACC) Championship last May in Vietnam and 2013 Asian Zone 3.3 Chess Championship last January in Tagaytay, respectively.
Also with 6.5 points are Barbosa, top seed GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, GM Baskaran Adhiban of India and GM Krishnan Sasikiran of India who also made it to the main draw of World Cup.
Le split the point with Barbosa after 17 moves of Slav defense while Adhiban defeated GM John Paul Gomez after 22 moves of French defense and Sasikiran beat GM Marat Dzhumaev of Uzbekistan after 60 moves of Sicilian defense.
US based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra bested GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam after 34 moves of Slav defense to led the group of 6.0 pointers.
Sadorra, a senior business administration student at University of Texas-Dallas had a chance to qualify to World Cup if the game between Sasikiran and Dzhumaev ended into a fighting draw and hope much better tie break in the six pointers. -Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Kell Brook to return in February
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Mon, 20 Oct 2025EFREN REYES AND FRANCISCO BUSTAMANTE HEADLINE HISTORIC FIELD AS PHILIPPINES OPEN DRAW REVEALED
Mon, 20 Oct 2025North Cotabato karatekas ready in BP 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 20 Oct 2025Fundora vs. Thurman Expected to Land on Manny Pacquiao's January Undercard
By Dong Secuya, Mon, 20 Oct 2025Hong Kong’s “Tyson” Ng and Harpreet Singh of India Ready to Rock for WBC Asia Strap
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 20 Oct 2025TEAM ASIA CONQUER THE WORLD TO COMPLETE HISTORIC REYES CUP TITLE DEFENCE
Mon, 20 Oct 2025Jodiel Chloe Banawa: A 5-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Making Her Mark at the Provincial Meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 20 Oct 2025GM Joey is aiming for a world title shot
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025Patrick Bonifacio rules Directors Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025