Top GMs slug it out in qualifier

MANILA, Philippines — Grandmaster Mark Paragua is coming closer to making his much-awaited return to the national team after a long absence.

Paragua, 36, leads a six-player cast in a two-day qualifying tournament this weekend for the Philippine team to the first ever FIDE Online Olympiad 2020 set July 22 to Aug. 30.

The New York-based chesser will play GM Banjo Barcenilla, GM John Paul Gomez, International Master Haridas Pascua, IM Paolo Bersamina and GM Darwin Laylo, five players who were supposed to represent the country in the World Chess Olympiad in Russia this year.

Paragua was seeded by virtue of being the highest rated Filipino woodpusher available with a current rating of 2529.

GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, actually the highest rated Filipino player to date with 2564, begged off, saying he is off-form and there are players who are more deserving than him.

Enter Paragua, who has topped two strong online tournaments – the first national bullet championship and the Battle of the GMs Cong. Pichay Birthday Cup last month.

“It is always an honor to be given a chance to represent the country,” said Paragua, a four-time Olympian.

The top four make the Phl team, but with only two to play per round. Each team is actually allowed to play six players a game with the four being two women, one junior player (Under-20) and a U20 girl.

The tryout for boys U20 players is also set this weekend while women and girls clash in a qualifier in a separate schedule.