Laylo claims chess crown on final draw

MANILA, Philippines – Former World Cup campaigner GM Darwin Laylo played IM Richard Bitoon to a draw to rule the 2009 Victory Central Mall National Open chess championship at the Victory Central Mall in Monumento, Caloocan City.

Laylo finished with five wins and four draws for seven points, the same score of fellow Dresden Olympiad veteran GM John Paul Gomez at the end of the nine-round tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported by Victory Central Mall and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Gomez outclassed No 18 seed Ali Branzuela to match Laylo’s nine-round total. But Laylo edged Gomez for the title by virtue of higher tiebreak score, 41.5 to 39.5.

However, Laylo and Gomez pocketed P80,000 each from the combined first and second cash prizes.

Five players – GM Mark Paragua, Bitoon, GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., Christian Arroyo and FM Leonardo Carlos – shared third to seventh places with 6.5 points apiece.

Paragua and Antonio also settled for a draw in a battle of heavyweights.

NCFP president-chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay awarded the trophies and cash prizes to the winners.

Arroyo toppled No. 10 seed NM Emmanuel Senador, while Carlos subdued No. 29 seed Alcon John Datu to move up in the overall standings in the company of Paragua, Antonio and Bitoon.  

Paragua, Bitoon, Antonio, Arroyo and Carlos all received P17,000 each.

IM Barlo Nadera halved the point with Deniel Causo and GM Jayson Gonzales split the point with IM Chito Garma to lead six other players in a tie for eighth to 15th places with six points.

With Nadera and Gonzales were Rhobel Legaspi, who demolished Jimson Bitoon; Stewart Manaog, who bested Efren Bagamasbad; and Rainier Labay, who outclassed Leodegario Ricana.