United States-based Grandmaster Mark Paragua captured the third Marinduque Online Chess Tournament Friday and dedicated it to his father Ric, who passed away recently.
Paragua drew with GM Roland Salvador in the ninth and final round to finish with eight points on seven wins and two draws.
He actually ended up on a four-way tie on top with Salvador, FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri and Chester Neil Reyes but emerged the highest tiebreak score to claim the title in the one-day event that drew 278 participants.
Interestingly, Paragua quietly flew to the country from New York where he is based to pay respect to his dad, who died due to heart attack a week back.
“I dedicate this to my papa, who was the main reason why I made it this far,” said Paragua, the country’s reigning bullet king and many-time Olympiad veteran.
Rounding up the Top 10 were Mark Jay Bacojo, Tristan Jared Cervero, Karl Victor Ochoa, FM Nelson Villanueva, Lloyd Lanciola and FM Roel Abelgas.
Other category winners were Richard Villaseran (Executive), International Master Chito Garma (Senior), Michael Concio, Jr. (Junior), Jarel Renz Lacambra(Lady), AGM Christian Gian Karlo Arca (Kiddie), Melanio Racelis (Marinduqueño) and Aizelle Ricafrente (Marinduqueña).