Porto Santo, Island, Portugal---International Master Chito Danilo Garma defeated Tomasz Sielicki of Poland Tuesday night to carry the fight for the Philippines in the 32nd World Senior Chess Championships at Hotel Baleira in Porto Santo Island, Portugal.
The 60-year-old Garma emerged victorious with the black pieces after 35 moves of Reti Opening.
The win gave Garma 2.0 points in 3 outings to climb in a tie at 11th to 29th places that included top seed GM Kiril Georgiev of Bulgaria and fourth round opponent GM Maxin Novik of Lithuania.
"I'm very happy with this victory," said Garma who already 2 GM norms under his belt.
Georgiev was beaten by GM Boris Chatalbashev of Denmark.
Chatalbashev joined GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel and GM Michal Krasenkov of Poland at the top of the leaderboard with 3.0 points apiece in the 50 and above category.
Meanwhile International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad beat Hans Joller of Switzerland after 52 moves of Sicilian Defense, Smith Morra Gambit. The 68-year-old Bagamasbad who hails from Camarines Norte scored his first win in the 65 over category," It added confidence in my part for notching my first win,' said Bagamasbad who is eyeing his 3rd and final GM norms.
Another Filipino entry FIDE Master Mario Mangubat yielded to Bart Stam of the Netherlands after 42 moves of English Opening. The 66-year-old Minglanilla, Cebu bet Mangubat remains at 0.5 points in the 65 over category.
Bagamasbad was set to do battle with Alexander Yakimenko of Russia while Mangubat was up against Undriadi Benggawan of Canada.
The Filipino chessers' campaign is being supported by the Philippines Sports Commission headed by chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Edward Hayco, commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo, National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/ President Cong. Prospero Pichay Jr., CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation chairman Alejandro "Al" Tengco.-Marlon Bernardino-
Comments
Share your thoughts on the above article by Marlon Bernardino.