by Marlon Bernardino
MANILA—Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua (above right foreground) won the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival 2023 Standard competition at the McCormick Place Convention Center West building in Chicago, Illinois on Friday to earn the WFM title.
The New York, USA based Megan Althea, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua, drew with Audrey Keyan Li of the USA in the last round to hike her total to 7.5 points on six wins and three draws and rule the Girls 12-under category.
Also with 7.5 points was eventual second-placer Rae Chen of Canada. After the tiebreak was applied, Megan Althea would finish first overall in the nine-round Swiss system tournament, 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment time control format which was held from August 12 to 18.
“I’m so happy with my latest performance and achievement,” said the 10 years old Megan Althea, a fifth grader at Columbia Grammar Preparatory School in New York City.
Megan Althea scored victories over Antia Vazquez Sanchez of Mexico in the first round, Whitney Tse of the USA in the second round, Laura Valentina Pardo Useche of Colombia in the fifth round, Rae Chen of Canada in the sixth round, Arabella Fang of the USA in the seventh round and Iris Nicole Mollo Figueroa of Bolivia in the eight round.
She split the points with Anvitha Penagalapati of the USA in the third round, Olivia Laido of the USA in the fourth round and Li in the ninth and final round.
Rounding up to the top 10 are third Jwalanthi Ram (6.5 pts.), fourth Michelle Zhang (6.5 pts.), fifth Li (6.5 pts.), sixth Fang (6 pts.), seventh Figueroa (5.5 pts.), eight Ellery Zhang (5.5 pts.), ninth Laura Valentina Pardo Useche (5.5 pts.) and tenth Sophia Sun (5.5 pts.).
It shall be recalled that Megan Althea wound up third in the Weeramantry National blitz chess tournament of state champions 1800-2199 Section at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
She also finished third place at the 11th Annual WIM Ruth Haring National Chess Tournament at the DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan and won a $2,000 college scholarship and $450 prize for her efforts.-Marlon Bernardino-
Filipino-American Megan Althea Obrero Paragua, niece of Grandmaster Mark Paragua receiving her prize during the awarding ceremony.