GM Barbosa rules tough India chess

FINAL RANKINGS:
9.5 pts — GM Oliver Barbosa (Philippines)
9.0 pts — GM John Paul Gomez (Philippines), IM Lalith Babu M R (India)
8.5 pts — GM Mark Paragua (Philippines), Ma Qun (China)
FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Oliver Barbosa turned back International Master Shyam Nikil in the 11th and final round on Monday to win the 10th Parsvnath International Grandmasters Chess Tournament at Ludlow Castle Sports Complex, Civil Lines in New Delhi, India.

The victory pushed Barbosa’s tally to 9.5 points good for the winner’s trophy and the champion’s prize worth 2 lakh rupees.

“We (NCFP) extend our congratulations to our Pinoy woodpushers for once again proving that we Filipinos are capable of competing against the best and the brightest in the world,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chair-president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.

Meanwhile, Filipino GM John Paul Gomez drew with Ma Qun of China using the black pieces to finish in a tie for second and third spot with IM Lalith Babu M R of India with 9.0 points. After the tie break was applied, the pride of Binan, Laguna was declared the tournament’s second placer.

GM Mark Paragua for his part, routed GM Evgeny Gleizerov of Russia using white to finish tied for fourth to fifth spots then leaned on a superior quotient against Ma to finish fourth overall.

“Nations like Russia, China, India, America and Europe have been touted as superpowers in chess. Kaya hindi biro ang 1-2-4 finish nina Oliver, John Paul at Mark sa India chess meet,” added Pichay, who is is fully supporting the players’ overseas campaign as part of the Philippine Team’s preparation for this year’s 38th World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

However, GM Richard Bitoon yielded to untitled Kulkarni Chinmay of India employing the black pieces to remain stuck at 6.5 points. The Medellin, Cebu bet finished in a tie for 66th to 94th places.