Paragua, Dableo upend fancied foreign rivals

Standings After Two Rounds: (RP Unless Stated)

2 points - J. Gomez, M. Paragua, R. Dableo, B. Nadera, M. K. Wong (Singapore)

1.5 -- M. Mchedlishvili (Georgia), A. Fillipov (Uzbekistan), N.T. Nguyen (Vietnam), E. Ghaemmaghami (Iran), N. Das (India), P. Kostenko (Kazakhstan), A. Ismagambetov (Kazakhstan), T.H. Dao (Vietnam), R. Antonio, J. Gonzales, R. Bitoon, B. Villamayor, O. Dimakiling, Tirto (Indonesia), E. Legapsi, D. Elorta, J, Morazo

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino players made their presence felt in the fourth President Arroyo Cup international chess championship, with GM Mark Paragua and GM-elect Ronald Dableo leading the charge with upset victories over their higher-rated foreign rivals at the Duty Free Fiesta Mall in Parañaque City.

Paragua pulled the rug from under second seed GM Gopal Nayanan of India in the biggest upset win so far in this tough, six-day tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) in honor of President Arroyo.

And Dableo, who nailed his third and last GM norm during the Kuala Lumpur Open last month, shocked sixth seed GM Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia to boost his chances for the title and the top prize of $6,000.

Paragua, seeded only 15th with an ELO of 2501, whipped Rainier Labay , while Dableo, ranked 23rd with an ELO of 2417 humbled Angel Cordero in the first round.

Dresden Olympiad sensation GM John Paul Gomez trounced Conrado Diaz in the first round and subdued Emmanuel Senador in the second round, while IM Barlo Nadera outclassed Lyndon Lumancas in the first round and upset No. 10 seed GM Darwin Laylo in the second round to join Paragua and Dableo in the lead pack in this 56-player field.

Defending champion GM Eugene Torre struggled with his title-retention bid, drawing with compatriots No. 38 Ali Branzuela and No. 40 Allan Macala.

No. 25 seed GM Meng Kong Wong of Singapore emerged as the only foreign player with two points after beating Danilo Jorda and No. 8 GM Tigran Kotanjian of Armenia.

Seventeen players, led by top seed GM Mikhal Mchedlishvili of Georgia and World Cup-bound GM Rogelio Antonio Jr., stayed within striking distance with 1.5 points out of a possible two in this tournament supported by the Department of Tourism, Duty Free, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Pagcor, Crown Regency Hotel, and Local Water Utilities Administration.

Mchedlishvili, the highest-rated player here with an ELO of 2613, was held to a draw by David Eorta in the first round but bounced back to beat Reggie Olya in the second round.

Antonio, the highest-rated Filipino players here in the absence of GM Wesley So, split the point with Olay in the first round before crushing FM Haridas Pascua the following round.

The other notable players in the 17-player second group are GM Anton Fillipov of Uzbekistan, who dumped Edgardo Garma in the opening round and drew with No. 16 GM Pyotr Kostenko of Kazkahstan; No. 4 GM Nguyen Ngoc Truogn Son of Vietnam, who beat FM Leonardo Carlos and drew with GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor; GM Ehsan Ghaemmaghami of Iran, who overhwlemed Dniel Causo and drew with Tirto of Indonesia; and GM Jayson Gonzales, who split the point with Albert Rivera and won over Rolando Andador.