Paragua stays hot, outplays Bagamasbad

SUBIC FREEPORT—Asian Zone 3.3 runner-up GM Mark Paragua served notice of his title bid, beating NM Efren Bagamasbad at the start of the $30,000 Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay Cup international chess tournament at the Subic Bay Travelers Hotel Thursday.

Paragua, who finished second to Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto in the Asian Zonals in Tagaytay recently, won with the black pieces after 32 moves of the King’s Indian defense.

“I hope I can continue to perform well,” said Paragua, who earned the right to join  GM Wesley So as the country’s representatives in the World Cup in Russia later this year.

The rest of the leading Filipino campaigners, led by third seed GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. and GM Eugene Torre, hurdled their opening-day matches.

Antonio bested Hakiki Kaisar of Indonesia, while Torre outclassed compatriot Ben Polao.

Top seed GM Merab Gagunashvili of Georgia humbled Filipino Denil Causo, second seed GM Zhang Zhong of Singapore crushed Christian Arroyo, third seed GM David Arutinian of Georgia outwitted Alex Milagrosa and  No. 5 seed GM Wen Yang humbled Wahyudi Surya of Indonesia.

Interestingly, Asian Zone champion Megaranto was the lone upset victim. He bowed to Chinese Woman FM Zhai Mo.