Barbosa, Paragua gain share of lead

Filipino Grandmasters Oliver Barbosa and Mark Paragua bested their respective third round rivals yesterday to create a four-ay tie for first place along with IM Wei Yi of China and IM Nguyen Duc Hoa of Vietnam in the 3rd HD Bank Cup International Open Chess Tournament 2013 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Taytay, Rizal native Barbosa defeated IM Pham Le Thao Nguyen of Vietnam; the Bulacan ace Paragua edged countryman FM Haridas Pascua; Wei outplayed GM Bui Vinh of Vietnam and Duc Hoa crushed WGM Wang Jue of China to hike their tally to 3.0 points.

Earlier, Barbosa toppled IM Mikhail Vasilyev of Ukraine in the opening round then beat FM Hoang Canh Huan of Vietnam in the second round.

Paragua, meantime nipped WIM Le Kieu Thien Kim of Vietnam and FM Pitra Andika of India; Wei trounced countryman WFM Le Hoang Tran Chau and NM Stewart Manaog of the Philippines while Duc Hoa dismantled WIM Ni Shiqun of China and CM Nguyen Hoang Nam of Vietnam in the first two rounds.

“So far so good, maganda ang inilalaro nina Oliver (Barbosa) at Mark (Paragua) sana mahawakan nila ang kanilang momentum,” said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. whose office bankrolled the Pinoys’ participation.

In the fourth round, Wei takes on Barbosa on Board 1 while Duc Hoa battles Paragua on Board 2.

Meanwhile, GM Darwin Laylo of the Philippines beat IM Duong The Anh of Vietnam to lead a huge group of 2.5 pointers that includes compatriots GM John Paul Gomez and GM Richard Bitoon who ended their third round match in a draw.

A total of $30,000 in cash prize awaits the winners with the champion getting the lion’s share of $10,000. /correspondent Marlon Bernardino