by Kristel Satumbaga
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez failed in his bid to secure a World Cup slot after settling for fifth place in the Eastern Asian Zonal 3.3 Chess Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Gomez, who started strong by leading after five rounds, groped in his last four duels for a tie with four others at fourth to seventh places with identical 6 points.
But Gomez settled for a lower placing after the tiebreak despite his late attempts that include an eighth-round victory over Mongolian FIDE Master Gangzorig Amartuvshin and a draw with Sugar Gan-Erdene of Mongolia in the ninth and final round.
Indonesian Grandmaster Susanto Megaranto nailed the title after the tiebreak following a three-way tie with Gan-Erdene and Vietnamese International Master Nguyen Van Huy for 7 points.
The 31-year-old Megaranto, who was best known as the youngest Indonesian to become a Grandmaster at 17, posted back-to-back wins over Mongolian foes FM Urtnasan Nasanjargal and IM Sumiya Bilguun to finish with five wins and four draws.
Both Megaranto and Gan-Erdene earned tickets to the World Cup in September in Russia.
Meanwhile, IM Paulo Bersamina finished seventh after finishing with 6 points while IM John Marvin Miciano settled for 11th with 5.5. points.
In women’s side, Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza managed into the Top 10 by placing 10th with 5.5 points, 1.5 points behind champion Woman Grandmaster Medina Warda Aulia of Indonesia.
