Latest Update from NCFP Files

Pengxiang Captures Crown; Nouri is Top Filipino Player

Final standings:7.5 points -- Z. Pengxiang (China)7 -- A. Onischuk (USA), V. Mikhalevski (Israel)6.5 -- V. Akobian (USA), N. Hua (China), W. Rui (China)6 -- Z. Zhong (China), H. Nouri (RP), V. Belov (Russia), D. Laylo (RP), Y. Ranola (RP), R. Dableo (RP), J. Gonzales (RP), E. Senador (RP), J. Sadorra (RP), R. Bancod (RP).5.5 – W. Zhou (China), O. Dimakiling (RP), R. Nolte (RP), C. Garma (RP), J. Gomez (RP).5 – S. Severino (RP), W. So (RP), M. Paragua (RP), T. Vakhidov (Uzbekistan), O. Barbosa (RP), J. Mayor (RP), N. Mariano (RP), A. Makinano (RP), R. Tolentino (RP), R. Bitoon (RP).

WHILE the Filipinos struggled hard to keep local pride alive, GM Zhang Pengxiang of China emerged as the biggest winner in the inaugural President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup International Open and Chess Challenge before a big crowd at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Paranaque.

Pengxiang, ranked fourth overall in China and No. 78 in the world with an ELO of 2636, defeated compatriot GM Zhang Zhong in 54 moves of the Ruy Lopez to finish with a nine-round total of 7.5 points out of a possible nine.

The 26-year old Chinese GM brought home the coveted GMA Cup and the top prize of US $6,000 (P300,000) for his triumph.

Top seed GM Alexander Onischuk of the United States subdued Asian Games-bound IM Ronald Dableo of the Philippines in 66 moevs of the King’s Indian Defense, while GM Victor Mikhalevski overpowered little-known NM Hamed Nouri in 32 moves of the Benoni to share second to third places with seven points.

Onischuk and Mikhalevski split the combined US $4,000 and US $3,000 cash prizes for second and third placers in this week-long tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in cooperation with Duty Free Philippines.

Three other foreign players – GM Vladimir Akobian of the United States and GM Ni Hua and IM Wang Rui of China – finished in a three-way tie for fourth to sixth places with 6.5 points.
Nouri, the 28-year old pride of Escalante City, finsiehd as the highest-placed Filipino player in eighth place behind Zhong with six points.

Known in the local chess circle as "Pinoy Kasparov" for his physical resemblance with the former Russian world chess champion, Nouri actually finished in a heavy 10-way tie with Zhong, GM Vladimir Belov of Russia and compatriots IM Darwin Laylo, IM Yves Ranola, Dableo , IM Jayson Gonzales, NM Emmanuel Senador, FM Julio Sadorra and IM Ronald Bancod.
GM-candidate Wesley So missed the winning combination against Belov, allowing the sixth-ranked Russian player to escape with the win in 37 moves of the Sicilian.

The loss put an abrupt end to the Filipino’s hopes for his second GM norm in as many weeks.
The 13-year old campaigner form Bacoor, Caviote, who earned his first GM norm in the 10 th Bayer Open in Bad Wiessee, Germany early this month, needed a win over Belov to earn his second GM norm.

"Sayang pero na-missed ko yung right combination laban kay Belov. Baka nanalo sana," said So , a freshman student at St. Francis of Assisi.
Surprisingly, none of the country’s five GMs landed in the winner’s circle.

The country’s highest-ranked player, GM Mark Paragua, fell to IM Wang Rui in 40 moves of the Slav in the ninth and final round to slip into a tie for 22 nd to 31st places with only five points.

GM Nelson Mariano II also bowed to IM Ronald Bancod in 38 moves of the Sicilian while GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor was held to a draw by No. 58 NM Efren Bagamasbad to settle for a tie for 32nd to 43rd places with 4.5 points.

Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre lost by default to Cebu-based NM Anthony Makinano and finished in 44 th places with only four points.

And GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., the country’s leading scorer in the Turin Olympiad held early this year, finished with only three points after withdrawing in the sixth round due to health reasons.

The Singapore-based Sadorra provided one of the few bright spots for the Filipinos when he outclassed IM Tahir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan in 37 moves of the Sicilian.

The 20-year old Sadorra, whose family migrated to Singapore five years ago, played decisively against Vakhidov to post one of the day’s inspiring triumphs and give the Filipinos something to cheer about.

Gonzales outwitted NM Oliver Barbosa, Senador defeated IM Richard Bitoon, Bancod downed Mariano and Ranola won by default over paraplegic Sander Severino to join Sadorra in the money list with six points.

WIM Beverly Mendoza halved the point with FM Roderick Nava to emerge as the highest-placed female player with 4.5 points.

WNM Enerose Magno won over Merben Roque to tie Mendoza with 4.5 points. Magno, however, settled for second place after the tiebreak.

WFM Sherrie Joy Lomibao finished third with four points.

A big disappointment was Severino, the multiple gold medalist in the recent Para Games held early this year.

Severino, the 21-year old native of Silay City who earned a lot of respect by beating Torre in the seventh round, failed to arrive in time and defaulted his match to Laylo.

courtesy of NCFP website.

To TCG, My digital camera was not returned to me so till now, am also waiting for my memory card which containes the photos from the 1st GMA Cup. I'll make sure you'll have a copy.