GONZALES BEATS ANDADOR, COPS SUBIC OPEN CHESS TITLE

Final standings:
7 points -- J. Gonzales
6.5 -- W. So, Y. Kuzubov (Ukraine), E. Torre, B. Villamayor
6 -- R. Andador
5.5 -- O. Barbosa, R. Nolte, Z.H. Wynn (Myanmar), H. Mas (Malaysia), S. Megaranto (Indonesia), D. Ballecer, R. Olay, R. Bitoon, J. Sadorra, C. Garma, O.K. Nay (Myanmar), S. Irwanto ((Indonesia), J. Gomez, Tirto (Indonesia), A. Novita (Indonesia), C. Kosasish (Indonesia), R. Antonio, K. Yang (China), Y. Wan (China), B. Nadera.
5 -- D. Sonjaya (Indonesia), R. Tolentino, R. Nava, N. Alisangco, A. Wahomo (Indonesia), S. Siyuan (China), J. Salubre.

AFTER waiting ten years, newly-installed GM-elect Jayson Gonzales won his first international title, in his native land.

Gonzales, an enlisted member of the Philippine Army trounced compatriot and former RP junior champion NM Rolando Andador in the ninth and final round to emerge over-all champion in the just concluded 2008 Subic Open International Chess Championship at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center, on Friday.

Gonzales, who nailed his third and final GM norm in the Asean Master Chess Circuit GMT category B event last January in Tarakan, Indonesia prevailed with the white pieces after 43 moves of a Slav Defense.

"Sa wakas," said the soft-spoken Gonzales in a long distance interview with this writer yesterday.

Gonzales became the first Filipino to win the Subic Open International Chess Championship. For this fete, he gets the top prize of US$5,000 from NCFP president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., and NCFP secretary-general Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Gonzales.

" Napakasarap kasi ako ang unang Filipino player na nagkampeon sa Subic Chess at timing na timing ganito din ako noong 1998 na kauna-unahang Filipinong nagkampeon sa Southern California International Open Chess," said Gonzales, who will spearhead the Filipino contingent in a goodwill match against visiting team-Myanmar on Monday in Tagaytay City.

"Salamat sa pagtitiwalang binigay ni Cong. (Butch) Pichay, siya kasi ang tumutulong sa local at international chess campaign ko," said Gonzales, who is best remembered for winning the tough 1998 Southern California International Open Chess which attracted world renowned wood pushers.

The Quezon City based Gonzales, currently No.8 in the April 2008 Fide rating list with 2468, increase his rating to 2490 after getting a plus 22 points because of his superb performance in Subic. He only needs 10 Elo rating points to formally bag his GM title.

Meanwhile, four players--- tournament favorite Ukrainian GM Yuriy Kuzubov and Filipino grandmasters Wesley So, Eugene Torre and Bong Villamayor were tied at 2nd to 5th placers with identical 6.5 points apiece.

So and Kuzubov agreed a quick 11 moves draw of their Sicilian encounter while Torre and Villamayor hurdled their last round assignments.

Torre defeated IM IM Zaw Htun Wynn of Myanmar after 44 moves of a King's Indian Defense, while Villamayor crushed former national junior champion Oliver Barbosa after 64 moves of Reti Opening.

So, at 14 the world's youngest GM, finished second -overall due to higher tiebreak score. Kuzubov (ELO 2603) came in third, followed by Torre and Villamayor.

So, Kuzubov, Torre and Villamayor received US$2,625 each.

Andador, a mainstay of the Philippine National Police who barely missed a GM norm, settled for sixth place with six points and pocketed US$1,000. Andador, however, earned an IM norm.

Twenty players, led by Barbosa and IM-candidate Rolando Nolte, finished in a tie for seventh to 26th places with 5.5 points. They pocketed US$ 675 each.

Nolte halved the point with GM Susanto Megaranto of Indonesia. GM Rogelio " Joey" Antonio Jr., the country's third highest-rated player behind So and GM Mark Paragua with an ELO of 2529, subdued Hamed Nouri to also finish with 5.5 points. The pride of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, however, finished in 23rd place due to lower tiebreak score.

Sharing the limelight were Karl Victor Ochoa ( 4.5 points) and Kimberly Jane Cunanan (four points), who emerged as top junior and top female players, respectively. Haridas Pascua came in second, while Alcon John Datu wound up third.

Joining Cunanan for a podium finish were Jedara Docena and Jan Jodilyn Fronda, who finished second and third, respectively.

Other players who earned IM norms were Barbosa, Nolte, Dino Ballecer, Rustum Tolentino, Reggie Olay and Deni Sonjaya of Indonesia.

contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO, edited by jovie sison