Paragua tops New York tilt

MANILA, Philippines - GM Mark Paragua bested American IM Jay Bonin then drew with Russian IM Ildar Salakhutdinov in the fifth and final round to rule the New York June Action at the Marshall Chess Club in New York over the weekend.

Paragua, who also beat Isaac Barayev, Vladimir Polyakin and Leif Pressman in the first three rounds, finished with 4.5 points to dominate the five-round tournament.

It was Paragua’s 11th straight win in the US following his victories in the 10 Grand Prix Points Tonight (June 3), New York May Open (May 29-30), Original 4 rated Games Tonight (May 27), Prove Your Point (May 22), May Marshall Masters (May 18), Marshall Sunday Action (May 9), Marshall Chess Challenge, Saturday Game 60 (May 5), Marshall Chess Challenge April Grand Prix (April 24 to 25), Original 4 rated Games Tonight (April 15) and Original 4 rated Games Tonight (April 8).

He also finished joint fifth in the Philadelphia Open Chess Championships topped by Russian-born US GM Gata Kamsky.

The Filipino ace is set to see action in the World Open Chess Championships set June 29-July 5 at the Valley Forge Convention Plaza in Pennsylvania.