Paragua tops GOKAK blitz Chess for a Cause

Final Standings:

5.0 points—GM Mark Paragua, WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales, Rolly Parondo Jr., IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia

4.5 points—IM Barlo Nadera, Norvin Gravillo

GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark Paragua added the Chess for a Cause: 6th Gathering of Knights and Kings Inc. (GOKAK) blitz chess tournament to his growing list of titles after he went unbeaten for five rounds on Friday.

Paragua tallied 5.0 points after beating National Master (NM) Alcon John Datu in the fifth and final round at the Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School (RMCHS) in Edsa, Cubao.

Paragua was tied with Woman National Master (WNM) Christy Lamiel Bernales, non-master Rolly Parondo Jr. and International Master (IM) Jan Emmanuel Garcia whom he beat via tiebreak.

All the top four winners received token prizes of umbrella, eureka chess set and t-shirt from Fianchetto Realty Devt Corp after donating their cash prizes to the Eugene Torre Chess Foundation and Fianchetto Realty Devt Corp. to raise funds for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Cebuano IM Barlo Nadera and non-master Norvin Gravillo were tied at 5th to 6th spots with 4.5 points each in the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP)-sanctioned tournament.

Adjudged category winners were: NM Elias Lao of San Juan (top senior), Samson Lim of Quezon City and Luffe Magdalaga of General Trias, Cavite (top non masters) and WIM Bernadette Galas of Makati City (top women). /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino