PICHAY CUP + NCFP CHESS TILT

MARK PARAGUA BEAT FELLOW GM LI CHAO OF CHINA TO CLAIM SOLO SECOND

Standings after seven rounds:
6 points -- H. Ni (China)
5.5 -- M. Paragua (RP)
5 -- R. Antonio (RP), E. Torre (RP), W. So (RP), J. Sadorra (RP), P. Gomez (RP), Z. Zhong (Singapore), D. T. Hai (Vietnam)
4.5 -- D. Laylo (RP), R. Bitoon (RP), R. Dableo (RP), J. Gonzales (RP), E. Senador (RP), O. Barbosa (RP), F. Donguines (RP), D. Causo (RP), E. Maghami (Iran), N.A. Dung (Vietnam), Q. Huang (China), W. Zhou (China), L. Chao (China)

WHILE most of the top seeds played cautiously, GM Mark Paragua went for the kill early and was amply rewarded. Paragua rediscovered his old brilliance to subdue GM Li Chao of China in the pivotal seventh round to vault into solo second place behind top seed GM Ni Hua of China in the third Prospero Pichay Jr. Cup international chess championship at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque City.

The 23-year-old campaigner from Meycauyan, Bulacan played superbly with the black pieces, squeezing out a morale-boosting win after only 24 moves of the Sicilian defense and handing Li a stunning setback since ruling the second President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup chess tournament last month.

With the win, Paragua improved to 5.5 points, only half a point behind Ni Hua, who settled for a draw with GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore in their top board encounter.
Asia's first GM Eugene Torre made short work of unheralded David Elorta to barge into a tie for third to ninth places with five points with fellow Filipinos GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., IMs Wesley So and Julio Catalino Sadorra and NM John Paul Gomez and Zhang Zhong and GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam.

In crucial eighth-roundmatches, it will be Ni Hua against Paragua, Zhang Zhng against Dao, Abntonio against So, Torre against Gomez and Ghaem against Sadorra. Antonio, who is hoping to redeem himself from a mediocre finish in the PGMA Cup, and Sadorra drew their match after only nine moves of the Bogo Indian. So, still seeking the elusive GM title, also halved the point with GM Dao Thien Hai of Vietnam , while Gomez crushed compatriot Hamed Nouri.

Comebacking IM Ronald Dableo whipped Yu Lie of China to lead seven other Filipinos still in the hunt for the top prize of US$5,000 with 4.5 points.

Also in the group are GM Darwin Laylo, IMs Jayson Gonzales and Richard Bitoon, NMS Emmanuel Senador, Oliver Barbosa and Deniel Causo and FM Fernie Donguines.

Lalyo, still fresh from a first-round campaign in the World Chess Cup in KHanty-Mansiysk, Russia, drew with Bitoon; Gonzales halved the point with GM Ehna Ghame Maghami of Iran; Senador beat IM Tirto of Indonesia; Barbosa drew with GM Nguyen Anh Dung of Vietnam; Donguines beat Zhang Xiaowen of China; and Causo stopped WGM Wang Yu of China.

Other seventh-round winners were WIM Irene Sukandar o findoneisa and Filipinos Rolando Nolte, Barlo Nadera, Ronald Bancod, Arlan Cabe, Randy Segarra, Merben Roque, Oliver Dimakiling, Ernesto Fernandez, Petronio Roca, Beverly Medoza, Michael Boris Diez, Cristy Bernales and RJ Magallanes.



RODRIGUEZ TRY TO DEFEND HIS TITLE THIS WEEKEND IN NCFP CHESS


PHILIPPINE NAVY stalwart Christopher Rodriguez try to defend his title hwen the 9th leg of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Executives and Professionals Chess Challenge gets underway on Saturday at the Greenhouse Grill, Matalino Street, Diliman, Quezon City.

Rodriguez, head coach of Adamson University Varsity Chess Team took the 8th leg of NCFP Chess last weekend after nothing five points in six games of play, half point ahead with solo place NCFP executive director lawyer Sammy Estimo who tote 4.5 points.

Chess-playing executives nationwide have confirmed their participation in this event sponsored by NCFP director and Benguet Governor Raul Molintas and supported by NCFP chair Rep. Matias Defensor, GM Eugene Torre, IM Rudy Tan Cardoso and Cebu
sportsman Matias Aznar.

Appliances, trophies, gift certificates and 7 slots to the Grand Finals early next year are at stake in this tourney.

Participants may call GM Torre (09228822870), Doc Jenny Mayor (09194782209) or
Estimo (09159360354).

Reports from MARLON BERNARDINO