Paragua falters, Barbosa wins in Vietnam chess

FILIPINO Grandmaster Mark Paragua, the reigning national open champion, suffered a stinging defeat in yesterday’s sixth round to drop out of tghe lead in the 3rd HD Bank Cup International Open Chess Tournament 2013 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Bulacan ace Paragua yielded to top seed GM Le Quang Liem (ELO 2709) of Vietnam after 43 moves of Sicilian defense, Najdorf variation using the white pieces.

The win improved Le’s total to 5.5 points, the same output of GM Zhou Jianchao of China, who downed countryman International Master Wei Yi after 27 moves of another Sicilian skirmish.

Meanwhile, GM Oliver Barbosa beat compatriot GM Darwin Laylo after 35 moves of Caro-Kann defense to occupy solo third place with 5.0 points.

Paragua remains at 4.5 points and dropped into a tie for 4th to 12th places in the company of GM John Paul Gomez, who drew with GM Papp Gabor of Hungrary after 31 moves of Queen’s Pawn game.

Laylo, on the other hand was stuck at 4.0 points good for 13th to 27th spots with GM Richard Bitoon, who subdued NM Stewart Manaog after 58 moves of Reti Opening and FM Haridas Pascua, who upset IM Myo Naing of Myanmar after 58 moves of Queen’s Indian defense.

Twelve-time national open champion GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. outplayed IM Ton That Nhu Tung of Vietnam after 32 moves of Caro-kann defense. He now shares 28th-41st place with 3.5 points.

Other Filipino seeing in action are IM Oliver Dimakiling (3.0 points), FM Paulo Bersamina (3.0 points), NM Stewart Manaog (3.0 points), NM Nelson Villanueva (2.5 points) and Jimson Bitoon (2.0 points).

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