PARAGUA, GUTIERREZ SHINE IN US CHESS TOURNEY
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 24 May 2014
NEW YORK -- Two Young Filipinos proved their mettle in the 64 square board when they were named as best outstanding chess players in the United States chess tournaments.
Gem Hanna Paragua, 16, and Dennis Gutierrez III, 10, were named as the sole winner in the just ended International Chess Tournament in Philadelphia and New York, respectively.
Gem Hanna, incoming freshman student of University of Sto. Tomas under the watchful eye of head coach grandmaster candidate and former Asian zonal champion Ronald Dableo, topped the Under 1000 section in the 8th annual Philadelphia Open Chess Championship last April 18 to 20 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The youngest sister of grandmaster Mark Paragua from Valenzuela City tallied unbeaten record in seven outings with six wins and a draw to raise her total 6.5 points.
Gem Hanna combined with his elder brother Jan Vincent Paragua also ruled the Mixed Doubles Teams event with a total 11.5 points.
GM Mark, on the other hand finished over-all eight place with six points in the Open section. Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. settled over-all ninth place in the Under 2200 section followed by New York based David Apelo who landed at tenth place. Bernardino and Apelo, both tallied five points in seven games of play.
Dennis III, meantime dominated the 20th annual New York State Open Blitz Chess Championship last May 18 to 20 at the Tiki Resort (formerly Howard Johnson), 2 Canada St, Lake George New York.
Dennis, incoming grade 5 pupil of Imaculate Conception Shool of Malolos and youngest son of National Master Dennis Gutierrez showed his mastery in the blitz competition tallied seven wins in eight outings. Another Filipino entry Ryan Calacday finished over-all eight place with 3.5 points.
With the victories, Paragua and Gutierrez's performance boosted the nation's morale, said New York Chess God Father laywer Geronimo "Gerry" Albano.
?Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayans Gem Hanna Paragua and Dennis Gutierrez III won the Philadelphia and New York chess tournaments, respectively.
Dennis III US chess campaign would be possible because of undying support of Pangasinan governor Amado Espino, Bulacan governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan vice-governor Daniel Fernando, San Fabian mayor Constante Batrina Agbayani and Malolos mayor Christian Natividad. (Marlon Bernardino)
Gem Hanna Paragua holds the trophy she won in the United States.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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