AEROFLOT CHESS OPEN - FINAL

FILIPINO GOMEZ BEATS UKRAINIAN GM TO FINISH IN 15TH

FILIPINO International Master John Paul Gomez (2469) shocked Ukrainian Grandmaster Adam Tukhaev (2524) in the ninth and final round last Friday to finish in a tie for 15th to 27th placers at the conclusion of Aeroflot Open 2008 International Chess Festival at the Gamma-Delta Hotel in Moscow, Russia

The former four-time Philippine Junior champion Gomez finished with 5.5 points on account of four wins, three draws and two loses and landed at 21st placers after the tie break points was applied.

However, compatriot IM Julio Catalino Sadorra suffered his third consecutive loses at the hands of Croatian GM Davor Rogic (2504), to stuck at 3.0 points with 2 wins, 2 draws, 5 loses and landed at 76th placers.

Russian GM Marat Askarov (2521) edges Chinese untitled player Weigi Zhou (2530) in a bucholz tie break points and went home the championships trophy in the A2 division which lured by 92 wood pushers. The duo finished with 7.0 points each, half point ahead with joint third placers---another Chinese untitled player Yunguo Wan (2389), Russian IM Dmitry Kryakvin (2535) and Georgian GM Giorgi Kacheishvili (2544).

In the A1 premiere section, Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2600) split the point with Ukrainian GM Andrei Volokitin (2674) to snare the coveted title with 7.0 points.

GM Alexander Motylev (2644) and GM Alexey Dreev (2633) of Russia, both agreed a silent draw to finish identical 6.5 points apiece for second and third placers.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO