MARK PARAGUA scored back-to-back win after beating fellow Grandmaster (GM) Darwin Laylo in Thursday's fifth round of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Cup International Chess Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The Tondo, Manila born Paragua improved to a total of 5 points in five outings to remain on top in the US$30,000 SMART-sponsored nine Round-Swiss tournament, hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by it's Chairman Ricardo Garcia and organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by it's Chairman / President Prospero A. Pichay Jr. , Secretary-General and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham 'Bambol' Tolentino Jr. and Executive Director Jayson Gonzales.
Earlier, Paragua defeated Mongolian FM Gombosuren Munkhgal in Wednesdsay's fourth round to grab solo leadership board in the FIDE event that offers a top prize of US $6,000, supported by Puregold, Manila Pavilion Hotel, City State Tower Hotel and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco.
"Mahirap y'ung laro pero pinilit ko talagang manalo," added Paragua, a former World Rapid Under-14 champion.
FM Haridas Pascua, meantime nipped FM Randy Segarra to score 4.5 points for solo second place.
"Isa't-isa lamang y'ung laro namin ni Randy at buti nanalo tayo," said Pascua, the pride of Pangasinan Chess Federation.
Top seed Russian Super GM Aleksandr Rakhmanov (ELO 2612) subdued Edsel Montoya to create a four-way tie with three other chess players. Rakhmanov tallied 4.0 points, the same output of Mongolian GM elect Bayarsaikhan Gundavaa who beat NM Rustum Tolentino; IM Rolando Nolte winner over FM David Elorta and FM Hamed Nouri who shocked GM John Paul Gomez.
In Thursday's sixth round, Paragua is paired with Pascua; Nolte goes up against Rakhmanov while Gundavaa will meet Nouri.
Tournament Director is NCFP Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales. -Marlon Bernardino-
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