GRANDMASTER John Paul Gomez drew with International Master Jem Garcia in 30 moves of a Ruy Lopez Monday night to remain at the helm after nine rounds of the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals in Alicia, Isabela.
The draw was the second straight for the 38-year-old Biñan, Laguna native, who also split the point with IM Pau Bersamina in the eighth round earlier that kept him alone at No. 1 with 7.5 points.
Gomez was battling Daniel Quizon and local bet IM Joel Banawa in the last two rounds Tuesday, eyeing to rule the event and claim a ticket to next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Awaiting the champion is the top purse of P120,000 courtesy of host Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.
Gomez is bidding for his third national title after ruling the meet in 2008 and 2013.
Gomez saw his previous 1.5-point lead cut to a point as he now has three rivals with 6.5 points to show lurking behind him—Garcia, Bersamina and Quizon.
Bersamina smashed FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo in 30 moves while Quizon turned back Phil Martin Casiguran in 45 moves.
It was Quizon’s fourth win in a row after starting the meet with two early defeats to Bersamina and Bacojo.
Running joint fifth were Bacojo and IM Ricky de Guzman, who trampled Alexis Emil Maribao in 57 moves of a Three Knights Game, with 5.5 points each.
