SO BEATS MEGARANTO, 4-2, PEREÑA IS 5TH IN JAKARTA CHESS

Final Standings: six games Fide rated one-on-one duel
4.0 points---GM Wesley So (2540, Philippines)
2.0 points---GM Susanto Megaranto (2561, Indonesia)


Final Standings:
Woman Grandmaster Tournament, six player's double round-robin format, Rating Average: 2317, WGM Norm: 6.5 points while WIM Norm: 4.5 points
7.0 points---WGM Li Ruofan (2423, Singapore)
6.5 points--- WGM Regina Pokorna (2352, Slovakia)
6.0 points---WIM Irine Kharisma Sukandar (2243, Indonesia)
5.0 points---WGM Jana Krivec (2362, Slovenia)
4.5 points---WNM Catherine Pereña (2234, Philippines)
1.0 point---WFM Thandar Aye Win (2291, Myanmar)

FILIPINOS Wesley So (2540) and Catherine Pereña (2234) took different route at the conclusion of Japfa Chess Festival 2008 being held at the Indonesian Sports Council Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, over the weekend.

So, 14, settled for a fighting draw to fellow grandmaster (GM) Indon ace Susanto Megaranto (2561) in their Game 6 match after 67 moves of a Sicilian Defense using the black pieces to finish with a total of 4.0 points on account of three wins, two draws and one loss besting Megaranto's 2.0 points output on one win, two draws and three loses in their six games Fide rated one-on-one duel.

So, added 15 Elo rating points for winning the tough Dubai Chess Cup a week ago is expected to increase and gain more Elo rating points after a stunning wins over Megaranto.

It shall be recalled that GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. bested GM Edhi Handoko of Indonesia, 3.5-2.5, in their on-one-one duel was also held in Jakarta (1998) ten years ago.

GM Eugene Torre, the long-time RP vanguard also beat Megaranto, 2.5-1.5, in the last year's edition in Jakarta.

Meanwhile, after tucking Woman International Master (WIM) norm under her belt going to the final round of Woman Grandmaster Tournament, The Caloocan City-based Pereña bowed his last round match to WGM Regina Pokorna (2352) of Slovakia after 34 moves of a Bishop Opening using the black pieces to finish at fifth placers with 4.5 points.

Tournament favorites WGM Li Ruofan (2423) of Singapore blasted WFM Thandar Aye Win (2291) of Myanmar after 27 moves of a Slav Defense using the white pieces to emerge over-all champion with 7.0 points.

The RP woodpushers campaign (who is schedule to arrive the country yesterday) would be possible with the undying support of NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Filway Marketings Inc. CEO/ President Hector "Chito" Tagaysay and businessman Reginald Tee.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO,