Pinoy flavor in Zone 3.3

Let's savor the sweet Filipino flavor that was showcased in the recently concluded Zone 3.3 Open Chess Championship.

First, congratulations to GM Mark Paragua (in photo) for winning a slot in the World Chess Cup 2011 that will be held in Khanty Mansiysk, Russia this coming August to September. Paragua's impressive performance, let me say, reminded everyone that he was the first Filipino chess player to breach the 2600-mark. Getting back to his old form is definitely the right track for Paragua.

Second, the Philippines has a new International Master in the name of 16-year-old FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia. Next target: GM norm. The Pichay Cup, which is scheduled to start tomorrow(?), would be the best venue for that. Strike while the iron is hot!

Third, the Zone 3.3 Open 2011 served as a stage to showcase the highly promising talents of our youth. Aside from the explosive performance of Garcia, more Filipino youth displayed a gallant form. Alcon John Datu, Mari Joseph Turqueza, and 13-year-old FM Paulo Bersamina essayed games that exhibited pure, youthful talent and tenacity to surprise their more experienced and higher rated opponents.

I believe that these teens will participate in the Pichay Cup. May their surge continue!

Here is my Pinoys Honor Roll for Zone 3.3 Open:

GM Mark Paragua (2nd place; bagged World Cup slot)
FM Jan Emmanuel Garcia (earned final IM norm)
IM Richard Bitoon (tied from 2nd to 4th place)
Alcon John Datu (only half a point shy of an IM norm)
FM Paulo Bersamina (the youngest in the field at 13 years of age, but still able to exhibit a rating performance 300+ points above his Elo rating)

Zone 3.3 Open Championship (Top 10)

Rk.		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	GM	Megaranto Susanto	INA	2529	7.0	0.0	2489	2512
2	GM	Paragua Mark	PHI	2542	6.5	0.0	2500	2514
3	GM	Zhang Zhong	SIN	2592	6.5	0.0	2484	2503
4	IM	Bitoon Richard	PHI	2480	6.5	0.0	2397	2417
5	FM	Garcia Jan Emmanuel	PHI	2344	6.0	0.0	2439	2468
6	IM	Nolte Rolando	PHI	2429	6.0	0.0	2399	2430
7	GM	Laylo Darwin	PHI	2516	5.5	0.0	2490	2512
8	GM	Antonio Rogelio Jr	PHI	2589	5.5	0.0	2481	2500
9	GM	Gomez John Paul	PHI	2538	5.5	0.0	2452	2469
10	IM	Barbosa Oliver	PHI	2506	5.5	0.0	2430	2455

Complete rankings HERE