Gomez, Frayna stay at chess helm

by Marlon Bernardino

Grandmaster John Paul Gomez split the point with US based GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla after 30 moves of Scotch defense to keep the lead in the ninth round of the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships late Friday at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila.

Thus, Gomez staying on top with 24.0 points.

The event is using the Torre-Pichay scoring system, a method formulated by Torre and National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president/chairman Prospero "Butch" Pichay, Jr. where a win is equivalent to three points, a draw is 1.5 points, a loss is zero, and a stalemate is 2.0 for the last player to make a move and 1.0 to the player who can no longer make a move.

GM Oliver Barbosa toppled  National Master Narquinden Reyes to grabs solo second place with 19.5 points.

GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. drew with Fide Master Roderick Nava to occupied 3rd place position with 18.0 points.

 International Master Joel Pimentel lost to defending champion GM Mark Paragua and remains at 15.0 points. Paragua has 14.0 points.

GM Eugene Torre subdued FM Jony Habla for his first win after 8th straight draws.

In other results, GM Darwin Laylo beat IM Richilieu Salcedo III, while GM Richard Bitoon hammered IM Emmanuel Senador. Laylo total output 17.5 points for 4th place while Bitoon has 13.5 points.

In the women's play, Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna defeated Lucelle Bermundo to stay on course with 24.0 points.

The tournament is  being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), headed  by chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and  secretary-general  Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino Jr., and supported by the Philippine Sports Commisison (PSC), headed by chairman  Ricardo "Richie" Garcia and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), at the helm is president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco.

NCFP  executive director  GM  Jayson  Gonzales  is  the   tournament director, while IA  Gene Poliarco is the chief arbiter.