the Philippines expect the Battle of GMs 2010

GM Bong Villamayor

Chessdom.com commentator GM Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor won the winner in the “All In Sports Expo” Open Rapid Chess Tournament at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Canteen at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Sunday.

GM Villamayor and GM Mark Paragua finished on top with 8,0/9, but the former got the upper hand after the tie-break points were applied. Villamayor was named the champion with a superior Buchholz of 57.5 points.

The top 2 finishers received P25,000 each in the event hosted by PSC chairman Harry Angping and backed by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

Villamayor defeated FM David Elorta in the final round. He swept his first 5 matches before halving the point with Paragua in the 6th round. He then beat Gonzales in the 7th round and drew with top seed GM Wesley So in the 8th round.

The next large event in the Philippines is the Battle of GMs. It will take place March 15-22 in Dapitan City. Wesley So, who dominated the first two editions and who has just been named youngest top 100 player in the world will be the top local player of the event. GMs Rogelio Antonio, Jr., who finished runner-up last year, Asia’s first GM Eugene Torre and reigning Asian Zone 3.3 champion GM Darwin Laylo will also participate.

In the women’s division, WFM Shercila Cua defends her crown against an equally-tough field which includes her younger sister WFM Sherily Cua as well as Cheradee Chardine Camacho and WIM Beverly Mendoza.