Paragua resumes quest for grandmaster title

International Master Mark Paragua presses his bid for the coveted grandmaster title as he competes in the second Alushta GM Tournament starting Friday in Alushta, Crimea, Ukraine.

Fresh from his rousing victory in last week’s first Alushta GM tourney, where he also obtained his second GM norm, Paragua needs to score at least 12 points in the 18-player closed tournament to gain his third and final GM result.

Russian Grandmasters Ramil Hasangatin, Veniamen Shtrenkov and Andrey Nikitn head the tough field, with an average rating of 2452, that also includes WGMs/IMs Nino Khurtsidze of Georgia and Olga Alexandrova of Ukraine.

Also vying for GM norms are Russian IMs Alexander Obukhov, Jakov Geller, Igor Lysyj, Nikolay Oglobin, Roman Ovetchkin and Segey Vokarev, IMs Dimitry Tishin, Alexander Alexikov and Yuriy Kuzubov of Ukraine and IMs Orazly Annageldyev of Turkmenistan, Das Neelotpal of India and Christian Pedersen of Denmark.

The 14-year-old Kuzubov actually completed his GM status in the first Alushta GMT after scoring 10.5 points and finishing second to Paragua.

The ace Filipino chesser scored 11.5 points (10 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses) out of possible 15 to top last week’s tournament, a feat that drew raves from no less than First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

"I am very pleased about Mark Paragua’s recent feat in Ukraine. Mark is the example of the Filipino’s dogged determination to excel and youthful competitive spirit," said Mr. Arroyo, who relayed the message to the National Chess Federation of the Phils. from Brunei.

He added: "The road to gaining grandmaster’s status or the coveted gold medals may be long and arduous but bit by bit, with the Persistence, Patience and Practice, we will prevail. However, I believe we should start them young para mas marami pang Mark Paragua."

The victory raised Paragua’s ELO rating to 2554, leaving him 46 short of the Super GM level of 2600. No Filipino has ever come close to reaching the super GM status after GM Eugene Torre gained a 2580 rating in 1983.

"It’s every nation’s dream to produce a super GM and I hope Macmac will be able to reach that level and at the same time realize my dream since I have put my focus on the youth," said Torre.