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Gomez draws with Paragua, gets GM norm
Source : Staff   
Saturday, 12 July 2008 12:21

John Paul GomezMANILA, Philippines — Three-time national junior champion International Master (IM) John Paul Gomez drew his match with Grandmaster Mark Paragua to stay in command and earn his first GM norm 13 rounds though the 2008 NCFP qualifying tournament in Mandaluyong City.

Taking no unnecessary risks with the black pieces, Gomez halved the point with Paragua in only 31 moves of the Slav defense and retained the lead for the seventh straight day in this event hosted by the Mandaluyong City government.

The 22-year-old engineering student from Biñan City in Laguna province now has 11 points on nine wins and four draws in the 17-round qualifier that will determine the Philippines’ representatives to the Chess Olympiad in Germany and the World Mind Games in Beijing later this year.

The draw enabled Gomez to earn the first of three norms he needs to become the Philippines’ newest GM.

Top-seeded GM Wesley So trounced National Master (NM) Jony Habla in 61 moves of the Ruy Lopez and GM Bong Villamayor outplayed IM Chito Garma in 43 moves of the Pirc to keep their share of second with 9.5 points each.

Subic Open champion GM Jayson Gonzales drew with IM Richard Bitoon in 45 moves of the English opening to remain in fourth spot.

GM Darwin Laylo crushed NM Edmundo Gatus in 61 moves of the Semi Slav to move into a tie for fifth to seventh places with Paragua and Garma.

The other 13th-round winners were NM Haridas Pascua, who downed NM Leonardo Carlos in 61 moves of the King’s Indian, and IM Barlo Nadera who bested NM Jerry Nodado in 35 moves of the Nimzo Indian.

In women’s play, Catherine Pereña outplayed Eden Tumbos in 56 moves of the King’s Indian to gain a share of the lead with erstwhile solo leader Daisy Rivera with 6.5 points.

Pereña, the 23-year-old from San Jose, Del Monte, Bulacan, is the only undefeated player in the group with four wins and five draws.

Rivera was held to a draw by Sherily Cua in 48 moves of the French defense.

Chardine Cheradee Camacho downed Shercila Cua in 59 moves of the Closed Sicilian to improve to 5.5 points.
 
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