Gomez, Frayna top Battle of the Grandmaster

by Marlon Bernardino

Final Standings:

MEN: 30.0 points J.Gomez, O. Barbosa;  26.5. D. Laylo; 25.5 R. Antonio; 22.5 R. Barcenilla; 21.5 M. Paragua; 18.0 J. Pimentel, R. Bitoon, E. Senador, E. Torre; 16.5 R. Nava, R. Salcedo III; 7.5 N. Reyes; 4.5 J. Habla

WOMEN: 34.5 points J. Frayna; 27.0 J. Enriquez, C. Perena; 25.5 B. Mendoza; 21.0 J. Docena, C. Mejia; 18.0 S. Mendoza, A. Lozano, L. Bermundo, B. Galas; 15.0 R. Jose; 11.0 G. Romero; 4.5 V. Cabrera

GRANDMASTER John Paul Gomez and Woman International Master elect Janelle Mae Frayna dominated their respective divisions of the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila on Monday.

The 27-year-old Binan, Laguna native Gomez, settled for a fighting draw in the last round with Fide Master Roderick Nava after 31 moves of Slav defense to finished with 30.0 points and claim the title of the mens division of the tournament with a superior quotient over GM Oliver Barbosa who also notch 30.0 points after beating Fide Master Jony Habla after 41 moves of Bogo-Indian defense.

Gomez and Barbosa split the combined prize of P240,000 for the top two finishers.

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.

GM Darwin Laylo finished third with 26.5 points  following his conquest of International Master Joel Pimentel after 31 moves of Ruy Lopez Opening to received P75,000.

12-time national open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. drew with IM Richilieu Salcedo III after 45 moves of Caro-Kann defense and settled for over-all fourth with 25.5 points for P50,000.

US based GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla split the point with last year's champion GM Mark Paragua after 31 moves of Scotch defense to finished solo fifth with 22.5 points for P40,000.

Rounding up to the 14 finishers are 6th place Paragua, 7th place Pimentel, 8th place GM Richard Bitoon, 9th place IM Emmanuel Senador, 10th place GM Eugene Torre, 11th place Nava, 12th place Salcedo, 13th place NM Narquinden Reyes and 14th place Habla.

In the women's play, Frayna defeated Ynna Sophia Canape after 30 moves of English Opening to went home the top prize of P50,000.

The top player of multi-titlist Far Eastern University chess team finished with 34.5 points, 7.5 points ahead over 2nd and 3rd placers Jean Karen Enriquez and defending champion WIM Catherine Perena, who both tallied 27.0 points.

Enriquez battled a 50 moves draw against WNM Jedara Docena while Perena halved the point with Shania Mae Mendoza after 30 moves of Owens defense.

WIM Beverly Mendoza drew with former national open champion WFM Rulp Ylem Jose came fourth with 25.5 points.

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