Paragua tops NCFP chess tourney

GRANDMASTER (GM) Mark Paragua settled for a truce with Philippines Juniors Boys champion national master (NM) Mari “MJ” Joseph Turqueza in the final round to rule the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) training chess tournament at the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) compound in Quezon City yesterday.

Paragua, the 2003 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games most bemedalled athlete, finished undefeated with six points off five wins and two draws in seven outings enroute to the coveted title.

The event was hosted and sponsored by NCFP president/ chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. and supervised by national coach Olympian National Master (NM) Cesar Caturla as part of the Philippine Team’s preparation for the Zone 3.3 Zonal Championship on May 23 to 31 in Tagaytay City,  the 2nd Chairman Prospero A. Pichay Cup on June 1 to 9 in Subic and the Southeast Asian Games in November in Indonesia.  /CORRESPONDENT MARLON BERNARDINO