Gomez reigns supreme in National Chess meet

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GRANDMASTER John Paul Gomez drew with International Master Joel Banawa in 21 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense to rule the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals in Alicia, Isabela last Tuesday night.

Gomez finished with 8.5 points and punched a ticket to next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand while pocketing the top purse of P120,000 courtesy of Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.

The title win was Gomez’s third after winning in 2008 and 2013.

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“Tagal din ng hinihintay ko bago ko ulit makuha ito,” said Gomez, 38, who thanked Biñan, Laguna Mayor Arman Dimaguila for supporting his campaign.

Paulo Bersamina, who trounced Alexis Emil Maribao in 42 moves of a Sicilian, and Daniel Quizon, who edged IM Jem Garcia in a marathon 74-move win of a King’s Indian, ended up tied for second with eight points each.

 Bersamina took No. 2 via the win-over-the-other rule after beating Quizon in the opening round.

They pocketed P75,000 each.

FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo smashed Vince Angelo Medina in 30 moves of a Queen’s Pawn duel to claim solo fourth with 7.5 points and won P40,000.

Garcia stumbled to fifth with seven points and consoled himself with the P20,000 purse.

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