PINOY GM BARBOSA LANDS IN THE TOP TEN OF THE PRESTIGIOUS WORLD OPEN
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Jul 2017
The 45th Annual World Open held from June 29-July 4, 2017 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, 1201 Market St., Philadelphia
GM Oliver Barbosa landed in the top ten of the prestigious World Open, considered as one of the top chess events in the United States with a large prize fund in a Swiss tournament. Barbosa tied for seventh place, making it the highest place so far achieved by a Filipino chess player in the Open. He scored 6.5 points and had a chance to be the overall champion when he got paired against the eventual winner, Tigran Petrosian, namesake of the former world champion.
Before the last round, Barbosa played and won against fellow Filipino GM Julio Sadorra. Barbosa said it was a tough game between the two, and they finished the game at 4 p.m. The long game worked against Barbosa since the last game was to start at 4:30 p.m. It was only then that he had a lunch break and didn?t have time to prepare for his opponent. ?I had a wrong choice of the opening and entered his favorite line,? Barbosa said. Petrosian told him that he had time to prepare and was able to scout his lines.
Barbosa nevertheless said that he was proud in landing the best place among Filipinos in such a big tournament, and was surprised to find himself contending for the World Open title even without much preparation for the tournament. He said he didn?t feel any pressure because he didn?t feel compelled to think about the prize money in the tournament unlike when he was playing in the Philippines. Barbosa together with GM Mark Paragua has a job in New York training students. He said, ?Kahit self-supporting po ako dito, important pa in po na clear ang mind habang naglalaro.?
Sadorra finished with 6.0 points and was tied for 16th place. IM Angelo Young won $5000 by placing first in the category prize for those rated 2200-2299. IM Rolando Nolte tied for second and won $400 in the category prized for those rated 2300-2499.
In the Under 2200 section, Filipino Ramon Manon-og Jr. of New York, originally from Kidapawan City, North Cotabato tied with Martin Hansen of Florida and James Lee Richardson of Virginia to win $7000 each. Manon-og, 32. has always played in the World Open but this was the first time he won a big prize. He attributes his win to the combination of studying hard and listening to the advice of strong players. He said he learned from fellow New Yorkers GM Barbosa and GM Paragua.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
T-Wolves Mangle Denver 115-70, Force Game Seven in West Semis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 17 May 2024Press Conference Notes: Emanuel Navarrete Motivated to Claim Four-Division World Title Glory in San Diego
Fri, 17 May 2024DON KING PROMOTIONS: “FISTS OF FURY” PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 17 May 2024Kevin Brown vs Idalberto Umara Headlines Boxlab Promotions Card in Orlando, FL, May 31
Fri, 17 May 2024Press Conference: Fury & Usyk Set Serious Tone Two Days From Undisputed Showdown
Fri, 17 May 2024Zanfer Wins Purse Bid for Apolinario-Ayala IBF Fight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 17 May 2024Noynay loses to Sasaki by TKO in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 May 2024Boston Returns to East Finals; Dallas A Win Away for the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 16 May 2024Arca Continues to Pursue Coveted IM Norm in Vietnam Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 16 May 2024Martin joins Pinoy invasion
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 16 May 2024Media Workout: Fury & Usyk T-3 Days From Making Heavyweight History
Thu, 16 May 2024ESPN and Top Rank Present DAZN on ESPN+ PPV Event: Undisputed Heavyweight Title Showdown Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
Thu, 16 May 2024FIERRO AND RIVERA LAND TITLE FIGHTS IN PUERTO RICO
Thu, 16 May 2024Tayden Beltran vs Cesar Villarraga Headlines CBN Promotions June 22 Show
Thu, 16 May 2024Puerto Rican National Champion Carlos De León Castro Signs with Boxlab Promotions
Thu, 16 May 2024