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GM-candidate John Paul Gomez settled for a draw with
fellow IM Rolando Nolte in 31 moves of the French defense Sunday to
formally clinch the title in the 2008 National Chess Federation of
the Philippines (NCFP) qualifying tournament at the Kaban ng Hiyas
Building in Mandaluyong City.
Gomez, the 22-year-old pride of
Biñan, Laguna who rose to prominence by winning the national junior
titles in 2000, 2001 and 2006, finished with a 17-round total of 13
points on 10 wins, six draws and only one loss to lead the RP to the
World Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany.
Gomez finished only half-a-point
ahead of Dubai Open champion and top seed GM Wesley So, who made
short work of IM Ronald Bancod in 28 moves of the Caro Kann.
Interestingly, Gomez’s only
setback in the grueling, two-week long tournament, organized by the
NCFP in cooperation with the Mandaluyong City government, came at
the hands of So in the pivotal 16th round Saturday.
So, whose meteoric rise earned
him the distinction as the world’s youngest GM last year, finished
with nine wins, seven draws and only one loss.
Gomez and So will be joined in
the five-man team to the World Chess Olympiad slated November 12 to
25 by GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, who finished in solo
third place with 11.5 points; and GMs Jayson Gonzales and Darwin
Laylo, who wound up with 10 points.
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