GRAND (GM) John Paul Gomez reeled off five consecutive wins including a 71-year win over young Phil Martin Casiguran in a very sharp duel from the Sicilian to jump to No. 1 after the seventh round of the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals in Alicia , in Isabela. Sunday night.
That victory put Mr. The 38-year-old Gomez moved into No. 1 with 6.5 points, 1.5 points ahead of the two closest chasing Budapest Olympiad International Masters (IM) teammates Pau Bersamina and Jem Garcia.
Messrs. Bersamina and Garcia tied with IM Ricky de Guzman and Samson Chiu Chin Lim, respectively, to increase their tally to five points apiece.
It also brought Mr. Gomez in claiming his third national title after his victories in 2008 and 2013 in this 11-round tournament with a chance to advance to the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next year and the top prize worth P120,000 with the help of the host. Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.
Biñan, a native of Laguna, some of his wins came at the expense of FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo, Alexis Emil Maribao, Vince Angelo Medina, Mr. Lim then Mr. Casiguran.
For Mr. Gomez holds the fort, he will need to get good results from his last four opponents – Messrs. Bersamina, Garcia, Daniel Quizon and local betting IM Joel Banawa.
Mr Bersamina, however, appeared to hold his own after winning after five rounds with 4.5 points.
But he got into trouble against Mr. Casiguran, the youngest participant here at 13 years old, also lost in the sixth round on Saturday which allowed Mr Gomez to replace him. – Joey Villar
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