Grandmaster John Paul Gomez ended a decade-long wait as he ruled the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals that concluded Tuesday night, Oct. 29, in Alicia, Isabela.

Gomez, 38, drew with local bet International Master Joel Banawa in 21 moves of a Caro-kann duel to finish with 8.5 points, enough to book a slot to next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

The Olympiad veteran also pocketed the champion’s loot worth P120,000 courtesy of host Alicia Mayor Joel Amos Alejandro.

Most importantly, Gomez reclaimed the national crown he last snared 11 years ago.

In all, it was his third title as he also reigned supreme in 2008.

“The long wait was worth it,” said Gomez, whose participation was backed by Biñan, Laguna Mayor Arman Dimaguila.

Paulo Bersamina, who clobbered Alexis Emil Maribao in 42 moves of a Sicilian, and Daniel Quizon, who outlasted IM Jem Garcia in a gruelling 74-move triumph of a King’s Indian, wound up tied for second with eight points each.

But Bersamina took second via win-over-the-other rule since he stunned Quizon in the opening round.

They both took home P75,000 each.

FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo slammed Vince Angelo Medina in 30 moves of a Queen’s Pawn duel to settle for solo fourth with 7.5 points and the prize worth P40,000.

Garcia sputtered to fifth with seven points and consoled himself with a P20,000 purse.