Defending champion IM Efren Bagamasbad of the Philippines (left) drew with top seed Randy Schain of Cambodia (right) in the penultimate round 8 to clinch the crown in the 12th Asian Seniors Chess Championship 65+ group at the Knights Templar hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.
Bagamasbad earns his second Grandmaster norm. Visit chess-results.com for round by round results and standings and to download games.
Bagamasbad, a veteran in world chess the past 40 years, solidified his pawn structure and made a surprise move Bd7 with black in the opening allowing a 21-move draw in the French Defense, Tarrasch variation.
The draw enabled Bagamasbad to hike his output to seven points on account of six wins and two draws in eight rounds.
That gave him a 1.5-points advantage over his closest pursuers going into the final round of the 65-year-old and above category.
Bagamasbad, a habitue of Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines (IIEE) Chess Club in Monte De Piedad Street in Cubao, Quezon City, will go for a win in the ninth and final round on Saturday.
After the Tagaytay Asian Senior Chess Championship, the 67-years-old Bagamasbad is set to leave on Monday for Terrasini, Italy for the 2023 World Seniors Chess championships from October 24 to November 6 and gunning for his third and final GM norms.
Bagamasbad is eyeing to set a Philippine record as the country’s oldest Grandmaster.
International Master Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan, FIDE Master Adrian Ros Pacis and National Master Mario Mangubat of the Philippines are tied for 2nd place with 5.5 points each after eight rounds.
Baimurzin nipped FIDE Master Antonio Molina, Pacis crushed Miles Patterson of Australia while Mangubat beat National Master Quirino Sagario.
Over in the 50-above category, former Asian Seniors champion International Master Chito Garma (above right) defeated Candidate Master Helen Milligan of New Zealand to retain his top post after eight rounds.
The Tondo Manila resident Garma has a record of 7.0 points on six wins and two draws to move closer to the championship.
Grandmaster Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. drew with FIDE Master Carlos Edgardo Garma while FIDE Master Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia halved the point with International Master Barlo Nadera, both earning 6.0 points.
Nadera, on the other hand, notched 5.0 points for solo four spots.
The weeklong event is hosted by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino in close cooperation with the International Chess Federation, Asian Chess Federation and National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman and president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr.
The total cash prize pool amounts to $3,000, with the champion receiving the largest portion, which is US$500.
The runner-up and third-place finisher will earn $400 and $300, respectively.
All top three finishers will also be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
-Marlon Bernardino-