Paragua rules GOKAK blitz Chess for a Cause
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 28 Dec 2013
Final Standings:
5.0 points---GM Mark Paragua, WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales, Rolly Parondo Jr., IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia
4.5 points---IM Barlo Nadera, Norvin Gravillo
MANILA, Philippines---GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark Paragua added the ?Chess for a Cause?: 6th Gathering of Knights and Kings Inc (GOKAK) blitz chess tournament to his growing list of victories as the former Filipino child prodigy from Quezon City beat National Master (NM) Alcon John Datu of Caloocan City in the fifth and final round on Friday at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) at Edsa, Cubao, opposite Nepa Q-Mart.
The win hiked Paragua?s tally to 5.0 points, the same output of Woman National Master (WNM) Christy Lamiel Bernales of Quezon City, non-master Rolly Parondo Jr. of Mandaluyong City and International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia of Manila, whom he beat in the tie break points.
All the top four winners received their token prizes of umbrella's, eureka chess set and t-shirt from Fianchetto Realty Devt Corp. president Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre, banker Alex Marquez and Fide Development Instructor Dari Castro of Eugene Torre Chess Foundation.
They donated their cash prizes to Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and Fianchetto Realty Devt Corp. to raise funds for victims of typhoon Yolanda.
"Ito na marahil ang pinaka meaningful sa lahat ng panalo ko sa chess tournament kasi yung prizes na napanalunan po natin ay malaki ang maitutulong sa mga kababayan natin na nasalanta ng Bagyong Yolanda sa Eastern at Central Visayas," said Paragua, incoming sports consultant of the sports office of Quezon City vice mayor Joy Belmonte along with Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. under sports head Teddy Lazaro and Ariel Merano.
"Excited na ako makapagturo ng chess sa grass roots level at sa mga kabataan sa Quezon City next year (month of January 2014) sa sports office under QC vice mayor Joy Belmonte." Paragua referring his upcoming new job as Quezon City sports consultant.
IM Barlo Nadera of Cebu and another non-master Norvin Gravillo of Manila was tied at 5th to 6th places with 4.5 points each in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) sanctioned tournament.
Adjudged category winners were NM Elias Lao of San Juan (top senior), Samson Lim of Quezon City and Luffe Magdalaga of General Trias, Cavite (top non masters) and WIM Bernadette Galas of Makati City ( top women).
Meanwhile, Jester Sistoza of Makati City finished 5.0 points to topped the kiddes 14 and under bracket followed by 2nd place John Philip Oncita of Makati City and 3rd place Dale Bernado of Angeles City, Pampanga who notch 4.5 points apiece. International Arbiter Gene Poliarco served as chief arbiter assisted by candidate master Richard dela Cruz and national arbiter Raul Cruz. NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales is one of the guest honor in the said chessfest.-Marlon Bernardino-
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