Manila Bulletin, Philippines
25 Oct. 2004

Paragua raps junior champ
But RP takes 3-1 beating from Azerbaijan

By rey bancod

MALLORCA, Spain –International Master Mark Paragua came through with
his biggest win so far, accounting for the Philippines’ only point
against powerhouse Azerbaijan Sunday in the eighth round of the World
Chess Olympiad.

The 20-year-old former prodigy, whose grandmaster title remains
pending, trounced reigning 2003 world junior champion Shakh Mamedyarov
(2660) in 42 moves of a Benoni defense.

But the rest of his teammates floundered against a team aching to come
back from consecutive defeats to Ukraine, Spain A and the United
States.

Grandmaster Eugene Torre, playing his seventh consecutive match, bowed
to super GM Teimur Radjabov (2663) in 33 moves of a Pirc defense.

IM Jayson Gonzales, handling black, suffered his first defeat at the
hands of GM Gadir Guseinov in 36 moves of an Alekhine defense.

Rookie Darwin Laylo put to waste a gallant stand against GM Rauf
Mamedov, losing a Nimzo Indian duel in 43 moves.

The 1-3 defeat sent the Philippines reeling to a share of 27th place
with 20.5 points, 6.5 behind pacesetting Ukraine.

Ukraine was held to a 2-all draw by Armenia.

Defending champion Russia edged India, 2.5-1.5, to take solo second
place with 24.5 points, half-apoint ahead of thirdrunning United
States.

India remained the best-placed Asian team with 22.5 points followed by
China with 21.5 points.

Paragua shrugged off his disappointment over his failure to get his GM
title by buckling down to work against Mamedyarov with whom he has
played many blitz matches in the past.

Playing white off a sharp line of the Benoni, Paragua foiled a
queenside counter play by Mamedyarov and launched his own attack in the
kingside, beginning with a pawn advance on the 18th that won him a pawn
11 moves later.

On the 33rd move, Paragua forced Mamedyarov to ponder hard and deep
with a knight thrust, offering a pawn in the process.

“It was over by then. Kahit di niya kinain yung pawn, tapos na rin,”
said Paragua, whose European campaign is funded by Filway Marketing
president Hector Tagaysay.

Paragua sent his two rooks in the fray, one controlling the seventh
fray to force Mameyarov to concede.

With 5.5 points out of eight matches, Paragua improved his chances to
gain another GM norm.

Earlier, Paragua was informed by the titles and rating committee member
Casto Abundo that his application has not been acted upon following the
unexplained failure of the Alushta organizers to submit a report.

Abundo said Paragua would have to wait until January next year.

Nelson Mariano II had no such problem, having earned his GM title even
before the start of the World Chess Congress.

All’s not gloomy in the RP camp.

In a welcome development, Grandmaster Joey Antonio and the rest of his
teammates settled a misunderstanding over how players are fielded in
the tournament.

Antonio explained that contrary to perceptions, he is not imposing an
unreasonable demand that he plays white.

“I thought that we would be fielding the regular boards against
Azerbaijan, so I was expecting to play white,” said the 42-year-old
board two player.

In an hour-long bull session, Antonio poured out his emotion, taking
issue with Torre over the equal distribution of chess colors.

Antonio said he felt that distributing the chess colors equally is
affecting the team, an observation disputed by Torre.

“Some players are already complaining that they are playing black more
often than the others and not doing well. It is also important to keep
their morale high,” said Torre.

Antonio also cited his own sacrifices in his previous Olympic
appearances.

“I played black nine times in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1988, I did not
complain. In Armenia 1996, I played 12 consecutive games despite the
fact that I wasn’t feeling well,” recalled Antonio.

Antonio said he came here to help the team and not for his own personal
glory, citing an instance in 1988 where he could have earned a gold
medal in board four.

“I was 6 of 7 but I abandoned my ambition and continued to play,” said
Antonio who has so far scored 3.5 points in five rounds.

Torre said that everybody is making a big sacrifice for the team.

“I played 14 straight games in Thessaloniki and Armenia,” he said.

The meeting ended amicably with Antonio promising to give his best in
the last four rounds of the tournament.

To enable him to regain his bearing and prepare for the team’s final
push, Antonio was rested for Monday’s 10th round against 33rd-ranked
Estonia.

For the first time in the country’s Olympic participation, the
Philippines will play a round without its top two board players.

“Eugene (Torre) badly needs a rest so he would be fresh and ready for
the crucial rounds ahead,” said Estimo who said the final placing of
the team depends on the last three rounds of the tournament.