Paragua leads RP sweep

The Philippines made another 1-2 finish on the international chess stage five weeks after Ronald Dableo and Mark Paragua topped the Asian Zonals in Vietnam with Paragua this time hogging the spotlight by ruling the XV Open Cannes International Chess Championships Sunday.

But it took a win over Dableo in the final round and a superior tiebreak score to nip compatriot Joseph Sanchez and Dimitar Marholev of Bulgaria for the crown in a victory that was more of a triumph of the spirit for the 19-year-old player seeking to become the country’s next grandmaster.

Although he failed to clinch a second GM result, Paragua was nevertheless in high spirit and at the same time upbeat of his chances in the next tournament he’s competing in — the Nice International Open in Italy which actually got underway Monday.

Paragua had five wins and four draws and finished with seven points, the same output put in by Sanchez and Marholev but the 1998 world rapid under-14 champion took the top honors with a superior tiebreak score of 55 points. Sanchez had 53.5 for second while Marholev settled for third with 50.

Dableo, who obtained his IM title, with a GM result to boot, when he stunned a tough field to rule the Asian Zonals last June, wound up in joint ninth with six points.

Sanchez actually had the best chance to claim the crown what with a half-point lead over the field at the start of the final round and with the white pieces boosting his chances.

But he failed to break through Italian GM Lexy Ortega’s defense, settling for a draw and a second-place finish.