GM Gomez finishes tie for second place in Chennai Open

REIGNING Southeast Asian Games silver medalist Grandmaster (GM) John Paul Gomez finished in a tie for second at the conclusion of 4th Chennai Open 2012 International Grandmaster Chess Tournament at the Multipurpose Indoor Stadium in Periamet, Chennai, India on Thursday.

The Biñan, Laguna native Gomez defeated Ma Qun of China after 41 moves of French defense using the disadvantageous black pieces to raise his total to 8.5 points off eight wins, two loses and a draw.

Also with 8.5 points were top-seed GM Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belarus, GM Marat Dzhumaev and GM Martyn Kravtsiv of Ukraine and IM Kore Akshayraj of India.

Yu Ruiyuan of China drew with Dzhumaev after 33 moves of Sicilian defense to bring home the title. He had 9 points and obtained his grandmaster norm.

Kravtsiv and Akshayraj ended their game in a figthing draw after 55 moves of Nimzo Indian defense.

Pinoy GM Oliver Barbosa split a point with Aleksandrov after 51 moves of Nimzo Indian defense, GM Mark Paragua toppled IM Praveen Kumar of India after 51 moves of French defense while GM Richard Bitoon routed Phoobalan P of India after 50 moves of Centre Game.

The Taytay, Rizal bet Barbosa finished with 8 points while the Medellin, Cebu-bet Bitoon and Bulacan-based Paragua tallied 7.5 points apiece.  Correspondent Marlon Bernardino