By Philippine Daily Inquirer
STREAKING International Master Oliver Dimakiling added Fide Master Haridas Pascua to his list of victims yesterday and grabbed the top spot in the fifth Battle of Grandmasters at the Paraw Club in Boracay.
Dimakiling, the pride of Davao who powered La Salle to several UAAP chess titles, posted his fifth straight win and climbed to 12.0 points after eight rounds of the event serving as qualifier for the national men’s and women’s teams to the 40th Chess Olympiad late this year in Istanbul.
In solo second with 11.0 points was GM Mark Paragua, who tamed FM Randy Segarra to overtake overnight co-leaders GMs Rogelio Antonio and Darwin Laylo, who were stuck at 10.0 in the company of GM Eugene Torre.
Antonio yielded to Italy-based GM Roland Salvador while Laylo bowed to GM Rogelio Barcenilla in the morning matches.
Torre, bidding for an unprecedented 21st appearance in the Olympiad, drew with top seed GM Oliver Barbosa, who had 9.0 points.
Also in contention with 9.5 points is United States-based GM Julio Catalino Sadorra, who also drew with GM Richard Bitoon (8.0).
Catherine Perena subdued fellow Woman International Master Beverly Mendoza to pace the distaff side with 13.0 points.
Right behind with 12.0 points each were Woman Fide Master Cherry Ann Mejia and Woman National Master Janelle Mae Frayna, who disposed of Eden Tumbos and WNM Jan Jodilyn Froda, respectively. Roy Luarca
The event supporters: Boracay Chess Club, Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Club Paraw owner and Malay Councilor Wilbec Gelito, Willy’s Beach Resort owner Rochanie G. Gadon, Kolai Mangyan owner Lowell Gucilo and Tawhay Condotel owner Arwen Barrios.