By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Grandmaster John Paul Gomez finally kicked the ghost of past failures when he topped the Philippine National Open Chess Championship Grand Finals for the second time in 11 years on Tuesday night, Oct. 29, in Alicia, Isabela.
And Gomez, 38, did it as quickly as possible, needing just 21 moves of a Caro-kann to draw with International Master Joel Banawa at the close of the 11-round tournament and reclaim the title he won last 11 years ago.
The draw was good enough for Gomez as he finished with 8.5 points.
Apart from winning the P120,000 top prize, Gomez also earned a berth to the PH team that will see action in next year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
In all, it was Gomez 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.
