GM MARK PARAGUA JOINS TOP 10 IN CONNECTICUT CHESS

AFTER losing his seventh round match against GM Alexander Shabalov, Filipino GM Mark Paragua split the point with IM Robert Hess of the United States after the eight round of ongoing 2008 Foxwoods International Open Chess Championships yesterday in Connecticut, USA.

The 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete compiled five wins, two loses and a draw to raise his total 5.5 points and climbed into a tie for 10th to 15th placers that includes last round opponent GM Keith Arkell of England, who also drew with FM Marcel Martinez of the United States.

GM Shabalov and GM Yuri Shulman, both former USSR grandmasters but representing the United States share on top with 6.5 points apiece.GM Shabalov nipped GM Alexander Stripunsky of the United States in the 8th round while GM Shulman beat GM Darmen Sadvakasov of Kazakhstan in other eight round results.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO