Cebuano National Master Mario Mangubat zeroes in quest to earn outright International Master title and Grandmaster norms
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Sep 2023
MANILA---National Master Mario Mangubat is set to embark on a journey to become the next Filipino International Master.
The 65-year-old Mangubat, the pride of Minglanilla, Cebu will compete in the 2023 Asian Seniors Chess Championships for over-65 years old category from October 14-22, 2023 at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay City, Philippines.
Direct Grandmaster Title norms and outright International Master Titles plus $3,000 cash prizes are up for grabs in this week-long event, hosted by City of Tagaytay headed by mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. and Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation and International Chess Federation and in cooperation with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.
“We all know how difficult it is to become an IM. But with the support of my family and sponsors like Minglanilla mayor Rajiv Enad and counselors as well Mr. Ernesto Bagamaspad and Mr. John Redelosa, I can reach my dream,” said Mangubat.
Mangubat was a Cebu prodigy. He was the youngest chess champion, winning an open tournament at the age of 10.
By the age of 20, Mangubat made waves in the Philippine sports scene when he upset Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre and National Master Glenn Bordonada in the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championships which held in Intramuros, Manila en route to his coveted National Master title.
Mangubat won against Torre using the white pieces after 36 moves of Sicilian defense in the third round of the tournament that resulted in the latter's (Torre) dimming his chances with a special bonus.
The Toyota car dealer Autosphere announced a special bonus for the tournament that anybody who wins all his games will receive a brand new Toyota Corolla.
"I am so happy beating Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre during the 1979 Philippine National Chess Championships as well National Master Glenn Bordonada," recalled Mangubat who also won 1 gold and 1 silver in the Senior division of the 19th ASEAN+ Age Groups Chess Championships held in Davao City in 2018.
International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, a native of Talisay, Camarines Norte is the defending champion in the said chessfest (Asian Seniors Chess Championships for over-65 years old category).
Bagamasbad finished undefeated with 7.5 points on six victories and three draws including one in the ninth and final round with local bet Paul Beach to claim the crown, an outright International Master title and the first of three norms to become a GM which held in Auckland, New Zealand.-Marlon Bernardino-
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