Malaysia chess: Six Filipino Woodpushers Share Top Spot

by Marlon Bernardino

Filipino Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, International Master Oliver Dimakiling, Fide Masters Roderick Nava and Randy Segarra, National Masters Ali Branzuela and Roel Abelgas posted their second straight wins and shared the lead in the 10th IGB Dato Arthur Tan International Open Chess Championship 2013 at the five-star Mid Valley Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Gomez defeated Sumant Subramaniam and FM Ronnie Lim of Malaysia in succession. 

Dimakiling prevailed over Cheah Cheok Fung of Malaysia and FM Yee Soon Wei of Brunei, respectively, Nava toppled Justin of Malaysia and WFM Fransisca Fortunata of Indonesia, Segarra trounced WCM Azman Hisham Nur Nabila and Tan Li Ting of Malaysia, Branzuela nipped compatriot Ivan Gil Biag and WGM Ding Yixin of China while Abelgas subdued Dennis Wang of Australia and Camilia Bt. Johari of Malaysia.

Joining the Filipinos in the huge group of perfect two pointers are top seed GMs Ma Qun, Zhou Jianchao, Wang Rui, Xiu Deshun of China, GMs Abhijeet Gupta, Laxman R.R. and Suri Vaibhav, Pradeep Kumar R.A. and Andria L D`souza of India, IM Max Illingworth of Australia and IM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam.

The country's campaign in the tournament is supported by former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., 7th district Cavite Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr., Bayan Muna Party-List Rep.Neri Javier Colmenares, Atty. Ruel Canobas and GM Jayson Gonzales of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Meanwhile, National Master Carlo Lorena and Bength Largo gain a share of lead with 17th other in the huge group of 2.0 pointers in the Amateur Division. Also unbeaten with 1.5 points are NM Leonardo Alidani, Perpetuo Tan, Christine Joyce Dacayo-Paragua while currently world youngest Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, Romelin Nava, Isidro Gallon and 2013 Bangkok Open Challengers Section Champion Marvin Ting tallied 1.0 points each.NM Efren Bagamasbad collected 1.5 points in the Seniors Section.