GRANDMASTER Mark Paragua performed a simultaneous chess exhibition matches and won all his games, 12-0, versus top Sta. Maria players held Sunday at the Sta. Maria Church yard in Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
The one-day event aims to promote chess in the grassroots level according to tournament director Engineer Norben de Jesus that was organized by the Sta. Maria Chess Club in close cooperation with Paragua Chess Academy being held to coincide the celebration of the feast of Immaculada Concepcion, otherwise known as the Blessed Virgin Mary, serves as the Patron Saint of Santa Maria, Bulacan.
Paragua, Engr. Bobby Nicolas (President, Santa Maria Town Fiesta 2012), Dr. Narcisco “Takse” Guevarra, Normel Benigno de Jesus (SK Chairman, Tumana, SMB Member, UST Chess Team), Woman Fide Master Michelle Yaon and Philippine and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. grace the opening rites.
Dr. Johnny Coralles and King Jeremias shares the top honors in the Open Age Category with 6.5 points apiece in seven outings.Carlo Caranyagan, meantime won the kiddies division with perfect six points. Second to fifth places with five points each were Juan Carlos Presente, John Ruiz Bravo, Eliseo Budoso and Jan Cedric Gutierrez.
National arbiters Alfredo Chay and Alex Dinoy of the Chess Arbiters Association of the Philippines (CAAP) serves as arbiters in the said chessfest.
Meanwhile, GM Paragua was scheduled to play another rare simultaneous chess exhibition on Thursday, February 9, 8am at the Malate Catholic School.
