The 2012 Philippines National Open Chess Championships for men and women, dubbed as the “Battle of Grandmasters”, was held at two venues in the Province of Aklan, the Paraw Club in Station 1, Boracay Island from July 14 – 20 and at the Cabagnot Training Center, Old Buswang, Kalibo Aklan from July 21 – 26, 2012.
This prestigious tournament also serves the purpose of selecting the members of the Philippine Chess Team who will participate in the forthcoming World Chess Olympiad to be held in Istanbul, Turkey on August 27 to September 10, 2012.
The top three finishers in each section qualify for the national team.
Top Filipino player GM Wesley So (Elo 2650) is already assured of a slot while the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr. has the option to pick the fifth player of the men’s team.
GM Mark Paragua
GM Mark Paragua (Elo 2508) convincingly won the men section after collecting 11.5 points from the long series of 15 rounds.
It is interesting that three players shared the 2nd place – GM Julio Catalino Sadorra (Elo 2525), Eugenio Torre (Elo 2469) and IM Oliver Dimakiling (Elo 2415). Now it is up to the NCFP to break the tie or use the option to include all top four finishers in the national team.
The top-seeded GM Oliver Barbosa (elo 2554) shared the 5-7th place with 9 points.
Final standings (Men):
1. GM PARAGUA Mark 2508 – 11.5
2-4. GM SADORRA Julio Catalino 2525, GM TORRE Eugenio 2469 and IM DIMAKILING Oliver 2415 – 10
5-7. GM BARBOSA Oliver 2554, GM LAYLO Darwin 2489 and GM ANTONIO Rogelio Jr 2548 – 9
8. GM GOMEZ John Paul 2539 – 8
9-10. GM BARCENILLA Rogelio 2501 and GM SALVADOR Roland 2484 – 7
11-12. GM BITOON Richard 2442 and FM PASCUA Haridas 2310 – 6.5
13. FM SEGARRA Randy 2283 – 5.5
14-15. IM SENADOR Emmanuel 2353 and MEJIA Giovanni 1932 – 4
16. FM NAVA Roderick 2397 – 3
The event was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) in coordination with the Boracay Chess Club, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez of Aklan, Lone District of Aklan Rep. Florencio T. Miraflores and Ang Kasangga Party List Rep. Teodorico T. Haresco, Jr.
