Paragua, Gutierrez hataw sa US Chess

Makikita sa larawang ito si Gem Hanna Paragua, 16, incoming freshman student ng University of Sto . Tomas na tangan ang kanyang championships’ trophy sa isang souvenir photo kasama ang tournament director at iba pang Filipino chess participants sa 8th annual Philadelphia Open Chess Championship nitong Abril 18 hanggang 20 sa Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Jennifer Obrero-Paragua)

NEW YORK—DALAWANG kabataang Filipino ang nangibabaw sa 64 square board matapos tanghaling best outstanding chess players sa United States chess tournaments.

Si Gem Hanna Paragua, 16, at Dennis Gutierrez III, 10, ay tinanghal na sole winner sa katatapos na International Chess Tournament sa Philadelphia at New York, ayon sa pagkakasunod.

Si Gem Hanna, incoming freshman student ng University of Sto . Tomas na nasa gabay ni head coach grandmaster candidate at former Asian zonal champion Ronald Dableo ang nag-reyna sa Under 1000 section sa 8th annual Philadelphia Open Chess Championship nitong Abril 18 hanggang 20 sa Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ang youngest sister ni grandmaster Mark Paragua mula Valenzuela City ay may  unbeaten record sa seven outings na may six wins at  draw tungo sa total 6.5 points.

Nakasama din ni Gem Hanna ang kanyang elder brother na si Jan Vincent Paragua para makopo ang Mixed Doubles Teams event na may total 11.5 points.

Tumapos naman si GM Mark sa over-all eight place na may six points sa Open section. Si Filipino at United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. ay nag over-all ninth place sa Under 2200 section kasunod naman si New York based David Apelo na nasa tenth place. Sina Bernardino at Apelo ay kapwa nakapagtala ng five points sa seven games of play.

Si Dennis III naman ang nagdomina sa 20th annual New York State Open Blitz Chess Championship nitong Mayo 18 hanggang 20 sa Tiki Resort (formerly Howard Johnson), 2 Canada St , Lake George New York .

Si Dennis III, incoming grade 5 pupil ng Immaculate Conception Shool of Malolos at youngest son ni National Master Dennis Gutierrez ay pinakita ang kanyang husay sa blitz competition tungo sa total seven wins sa eight outings. Habang ang isang Filipino entry na si Ryan Calacday ay nasa over-all eight place na may 3.5 points.

(Marlon Bernardino)