Gomez scores back-to-back wins; Frayna stay on top in the Battle of the Grandmaster

by Marlon Bernardino

Manila---Grandmaster John Paul Gomez scored back-to-back wins in the 2013 Battle of the Grandmaster Chess Championships at the Philippine Sports Commission Conference Room, Administration Bldg., Vito Cruz, Manila.

His latest victory was against International Master Joel Pimentel late Thursday. Gomez defeated Pimentel in 35 moves of Sicilian defense using the advantageous white pieces in Round 7.

The 27-year-old Binan, Laguna native Gomez improved his output for a total of 19.5 points on 6 wins and draw.

"Sana mahawakan ko po ang momentum," said Gomez who earlier brought down National Master Narquinden Reyes in the 6th round.

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.

Meanwhile, overnight solo second place 12-time National Open champion GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. still second the field with 16.0 points after beating Fide Master Jony Habla in the sixth round and drew with defending champion GM Mark Paragua in the seventh round after 31 moves of Modern Benoni defense.

"Medyo mahirap game namin ni Mark (Paragua) pero ok na ang draw," said Antonio, former top player of University of Manila and mainstay of Philippine Army chess team.

At 3rd is GM Oliver Barbosa with 15.0 points. The Taytay, Rizal resident beat GM Richard Bitoon and IM Richilieu Salcedo III, respectively.

In other matches saw, GM Darwin Laylo defeated US based GM Rogelio "Banjo" Barcenilla in the 6th round then nipped IM Emmanuel Senador in the 7th round, GM Eugene Torre who lost to Pimentel in the 6th round then drew with Barcenilla in the 7th round while FM Roderick Nava was yielded to Senador in the 6th round then upset GM Richard Bitoon in the 7th round.

Habla, meantime split the point with Reyes in the 7th round after losing to Antonio in the 6th round.

In the women's play, Woman International Master Janelle Mae Frayna toppled Woman Fide Master Rulp Ylem Jose in the 6th round then split the point with WIM Beverly Mendoza in the 7th round  to remain on top with 18.0 points. Mendoza, on the other hand still at solo second place with 16.5 points.

Last year's champion WIM Catherine Perena occupied solo third place position with 15.0 points. The University of the Philippines-Diliman campus coach routed Lucelle Bermundo in the 6th round and Ynna Sophia Canape in the 7th round.

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.