Bagamasbad draws with Pacis, keeps Asian Senior chess lead, nears chess title
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 19 Oct 2023
TAGAYTAY CITY---International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad slowed down his pace a bit and agreed to a 11-move quick draw with compatriot FIDE Master Adrian Ros Pacis to retain his top post after seven rounds of the 12th Asian Senior Chess Championship at the Knights Templar Hotel, Tagaytay City on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Knowing the title is within his grasp, the 67-year-old Bagamasbad chose a quieter and Silent English Opening using the white pieces and veered away from the riskier e5 defense and successfully steered the game into a draw.
It kept Bagamasbad at the helm with 6.5 points, or 2.0 points ahead with Pacis, National Master and Mario Mangubat of the Philippines, International Master Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan and Randolph Schain of Cambodia who totes 4.5 points each.
Mangubat drew with Baimurzin while Schain subdued Pricha Srivatanakul of Thailand.
"Draw is okay. I don't want to take a risk because not only focus on the title plus the 2nd of three GM norms," said Bagamasbad, who is using the tournament as part of his preparations for the 2023 World Seniors Chess championships in Terrasini, Italy from October 24 to November 6.
It shall be recalled that Bagamasbad won the 11th edition of the Asian Seniors held in Auckland, New Zealand last year.
Thus, Bagamasbad earned an outright International Master title plus his first Grandmaster norms because of his efforts.
With two rounds to go, Bagamasbad needed only a draw in his penultimate round matches against Schain on Friday to secure the crown plus his second Grandmaster norms.
Also making their presence felt on another big day for the Filipinos in the 65-year-old and above category were FIDE Master Antonio Molina and National Master Quirino Sagario.
Molina split the point with Kian Hwa Lim of Malaysia while Sagario outclassed Arena FIDE Master AFM Biket Zharokov.
Molina, Sagario and Miles Patterson of Australia were tied at 6th to 8th placers with 4.0 points each.
Meanwhile, former Asian Seniors champion International Master Chito Garma defeated International Master Enrique Paciencia of Singapore to remain in sole possession of the top spot with 6.0 points and a half point ahead of his closest pursuers Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. and FIDE Master Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia who notch 5.5 points apiece in the Open 50-above category.
Antonio trounced FIDE Master Ahmad Ismail of Malaysia while Hamdani nipped Galymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan.
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 World 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.
The tournament is under the guidance of tournament director Mike Lapitan, with IA Casto “Toti” Abundo serving as the supervising arbiter.-Marlon Bernardino-
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