FILIPINO grand master (GM) Mark Paragua emerged champion in the recently concluded King Nathaniel Aguilar Retanal Birthday Chess Bullet Online Tournament held via lichess.org.

Paragua, who was unbeaten in 20 matches, earned 18 points in the tournament organized by national master (NM) Elwin Herbias Retanal of Malita, Davao Occidental in celebration of his son Nathaniel's seventh birthday. He won 16 games and drew with four other players.

The New York-based Paragua, who also ruled the GM and Atty. Rosendo Carreon Balinas Jr. Death Anniversary Memorial Chess Tournament on September 27, bested international master (IM) Egor Bogdanov of Ukraine and Mahdi Gholami Orimi of Iran who settled for second and third, respectively.

Bogdanov made 16 points while Orimi scored 15.

Tied for fourth and fifth places were Mark Jay Daños Bacojo and Ellan Asuela while Michaeljako Concio, Davao City Fide master Austin Jacob Literatus (13 points), Rommel Ganzon, Eric Labog and Vince Omal Medina rounded up the top 10.

All the top 10 chessers received cash prizes along with 11th to 20th placers Kyle Ochoa, Panabo City NM Jonathan Tan, Karl Ochoa, Sherwin Tiu, Yves Christian Fiel, Rocky Pabalan, Robert H. Arellano, Ignat Bogdanov and Dodoy Kriz Villareal.

Retanal, who has been working as captain waiter at King Salman Palace at Riyadh Saudi Arabia, said the chessfest attracted a total of 153 participants. He thanked the players for joining the birthday tournament in honor of his son.