Paragua’s titular bid hit snag after pair of draws

FILIPINO Grandmaster Mark Paragua’s title bid was hampered by back-to-back draws in the 7th and 8th rounds of the ongoing 2nd HD Bank Cup International Open Chess tournament 2012 at the HD Bank Head office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

His latest draw was against GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam in round eight yesterday. Earlier, Paragua also drew with GM Cao Sang of Vietnam in the seventh round late Tuesday.

Paragua improved his total to 5.5 points on four wins, a loss and three draws in eight outings, the same output of countryman IM Rolando Nolte. Nolte subdued IM Diu Viacheslav of Russia in the seventh then drew with IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam in the eighth round.

Le, who beat GM John Paul Gomez in the seventh round, now has 6.5 points for solo second place, a full point behind solo leader GM Ni Hua of China who has 7.5 points. Ni beat IM Duong The Anh of Vietnam in the seventh and IM Gao Rui of China in the eighth round, respectively.

Meanwhile, GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son of Vietnam smashed compatriot Tran Quoc Dung and GM Li Shilong of China, to raise his total to 6.0 points for solo third place. The nine-round competition offers a total prize fund of $30,000 with the champion getting $10,000.

Gomez split the point with IM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam to join GM Oliver Barbosa, IM Emmanuel Senador and FM Paulo Bersamina for 15th to 27th places.

At 28th to 42nd spots with 4.5 points were GM Eugene Torre, IM Oliver Dimakiling and NM Edgar Reggie Olay. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino