Chinese GM Chao wins RP Chess Open at Aubic
SUBIC - After 11 grueling rounds, Chinese GM Li Chao emerged as the winner of the Philippine International Open Chess tournament at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center Wednesday.
Chao, also the reining champion of the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup, won by 8 points despite scoring a draw with Iranian GM Ehsan Ghaem Magami.
“I’m very happy. I was very lucky with the last game,” said Chao through his interpreter WGM Zhang Ji Lin.
He will be going home to China with the $6,000 top prize and the tournament’s biggest trophy.
Chao won through a tie breaker as five of them garnered 8 points. Also among the five-way tie were Weiqi Zhou of China, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, and Filipino GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and returning Bong Villamayor.
Chao nabbed top place based on his ELO ranking (2584) computation using international rules.
Sadorra turned out to the biggest Filipino winner at fourth place, followed by Villamayor at fifth place.
Sadorra had an impressive run, ending with a win over Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem, whom he beat in 44 moves. He said the win did not come easy for him after being overeager during his opening.
“Noong nagstart ‘yung game, wala ako sa perfect frame of mind. Siguro naging masyadong mabilis ang opening, pati ‘yung excitement,” he said.
But his opponent committed blunders as well, which helped his game. “So I took my time. Binagalan ko ang pacing ko ng konti, nagkamali rin siya,” said Sadorra.
Back into his groove
Villamayor also had a spectacular run at the tournament, beating Indon IM Sadikin Irwanto in 38 moves to gain another point for a total of 8.
“Ang nangyari eh, naglaro siya passively. He made one or two weak moves,” said the 41-year-old GM, “From there, nadala ko ang advantage hanggang sa huli.”
Despite his strong showing at this tournament, Villamayor said he still needs to face stronger opponents to test his mettle.
“Hindi ko rin nakalaban ang mga top GMs eh. Siguro I was just lucky to come back. I had good breaks,” he said.
Villamayor had been away from the chess scene for five years, when he worked as a chess instructor in Singapore.
Filipino chess prodigy Wesley So ended his campaign here at 10 place by drawing with Indon IM Dede Liu after 29 moves.
This was his second consecutive draw in the last two rounds of the tournament.
So earlier split the point with IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia and ended up with 7 points, like Liu.
GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran agreed to split the point with Zhou to receive 7.5 points and secure 7th place. His compatriot Ehsan Ghaem Magami also scored 7.5 points after drawing with Chao.
President Prospero "Butch" Pichay of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) handed out the trophies and prizes.
The runner-up and the third-placer received $5,000 and $4,000, respectively.
Cash prizes were also given up to the 32nd placers, as well as the top three women and top three juniors.
The tournament will be immediately followed by the First Subic Open slated on May 16-23. By DENNIS GASGONIA abs-cbnNEWS.com
Chao, also the reining champion of the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup, won by 8 points despite scoring a draw with Iranian GM Ehsan Ghaem Magami.
“I’m very happy. I was very lucky with the last game,” said Chao through his interpreter WGM Zhang Ji Lin.
He will be going home to China with the $6,000 top prize and the tournament’s biggest trophy.
Chao won through a tie breaker as five of them garnered 8 points. Also among the five-way tie were Weiqi Zhou of China, GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, and Filipino GMs Julio Catalino Sadorra and returning Bong Villamayor.
Chao nabbed top place based on his ELO ranking (2584) computation using international rules.
Sadorra turned out to the biggest Filipino winner at fourth place, followed by Villamayor at fifth place.
Sadorra had an impressive run, ending with a win over Vietnamese GM Le Quang Liem, whom he beat in 44 moves. He said the win did not come easy for him after being overeager during his opening.
“Noong nagstart ‘yung game, wala ako sa perfect frame of mind. Siguro naging masyadong mabilis ang opening, pati ‘yung excitement,” he said.
But his opponent committed blunders as well, which helped his game. “So I took my time. Binagalan ko ang pacing ko ng konti, nagkamali rin siya,” said Sadorra.
Back into his groove
Villamayor also had a spectacular run at the tournament, beating Indon IM Sadikin Irwanto in 38 moves to gain another point for a total of 8.
“Ang nangyari eh, naglaro siya passively. He made one or two weak moves,” said the 41-year-old GM, “From there, nadala ko ang advantage hanggang sa huli.”
Despite his strong showing at this tournament, Villamayor said he still needs to face stronger opponents to test his mettle.
“Hindi ko rin nakalaban ang mga top GMs eh. Siguro I was just lucky to come back. I had good breaks,” he said.
Villamayor had been away from the chess scene for five years, when he worked as a chess instructor in Singapore.
Filipino chess prodigy Wesley So ended his campaign here at 10 place by drawing with Indon IM Dede Liu after 29 moves.
This was his second consecutive draw in the last two rounds of the tournament.
So earlier split the point with IM Sadikin Irwanto of Indonesia and ended up with 7 points, like Liu.
GM Morteza Mahjoob of Iran agreed to split the point with Zhou to receive 7.5 points and secure 7th place. His compatriot Ehsan Ghaem Magami also scored 7.5 points after drawing with Chao.
President Prospero "Butch" Pichay of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) handed out the trophies and prizes.
The runner-up and the third-placer received $5,000 and $4,000, respectively.
Cash prizes were also given up to the 32nd placers, as well as the top three women and top three juniors.
The tournament will be immediately followed by the First Subic Open slated on May 16-23. By DENNIS GASGONIA abs-cbnNEWS.com
posted by OlongapoCity Zambales at
11:44 PM
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