5th Stay at Home Chessfest: Paragua tops “Grandmaster Class”

CEBU, Philippines — Grandmaster Mark Paragua's hot streak continues.

The New York-based Filipino chess wizard ruled the fifth edition of the monthly Stay at Home Chess Challenge billed as "Grandmaster Class" played last Saturday, August 1, on lichess.org.

Paragua blew his foes to emerge as champion with 68 points. He pocketed P3,000 for his efforts.

It was Paragua's third straight triumph in an online chess tournament in the country. Last June, he topped the first Prospero Pichay Birthday Cup “Battle of GMs” and the 1st Philippine Bullet Chess Championship.

Cebu's Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano placed second with 49 points, while National Master Rommel Ganzon wounded up third with 47 points. The next two spots were occupied by Remegio Galenzoga and Woman GM Gong Qianyun of China with 44 and 42 points, respectively.

Rounding up the top 10 finishers were Eden Diano, Antonio Cabibil, NM Merben Roque, Allan Pason and Bheil Ortiz.

Those who make it to the top 20 in the two-hour tilt organized by International Master Kim Steven Yap of the Cebu School of Chess were NM Edsel Montoya, Michael Joseph Pagaran, Jethro Esplanada, Jimson Bitoon, Diego caprino, Venancio Loyola, Neil Adrian Gilig, Edsel Vosotros, Richard Natividad, and Allan Salientes.

Woman GM Nafisa Muninova of Uzbekistan was the top female player followed by Alphecca Gonzales, Jinky Catulay, Laila Nadera, and Crystal Jumao-as.

 The top kiddies were Edelyn Vosotros, Jerish Velarde, Dave Lavandero, and Kristine Lavandero, while the top seniors were International Arbiter Lincoln Yap, Jesus Bitoon, and Joselito Serna.

Among those who received bounties for beating the GMs were Richard Natividad, Diego Caparino, NM Rogelio Enriquez Jr., NM Rommel Ganzon, Eden Diano, Edsel Montoya, and NM Merben Roque.