Cebuano Mangubat faces top seed Georgian Grandmaster
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Nov 2024
Porto Santo Island, Portugal ---Mario Mangubat of the Philippines will face top seeded Grandmaster Zurab Sturua of Georgia at the start of the 32nd World Senior Chess Championships 65 over category on Sunday, November 17.
Mangubat from Minglanilla, Cebu who holds an ELO rating of 2052 will employ the white pieces versus no.1 pick Super GM Sturua who had an elo rating of 2502. Mangubat is setting his eyes for a possible International Master title as well as complete FIDE Master status. Mangubat who will celebrate his 66th birthday here on the 19th of November is aiming to raise his ELO rating of 2052 to 2300 to complete his FIDE Master title. Mangubat shocked the chess world during the 1979 National Open grand finals by beating Asia's First Grandmaster Eugene Torre and FIDE Master Elect Glenn Bordonada.
"I'll give it my best shot," said Mangubat who took the semi finals title during the 1979 National open semi final round in Intramuros, Manila.
International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, 66, the reigning back to back Asian Senior 65 over category champion will be missing the 1st round.
However all eyes are on 2-time Asian Senior 50 to 64 division champion International Master Chito Danilo Garma. The 60 year old Garma, who got 2217elo rating points playing black opposite unheralded Paul Obiamiwe of Nigeria who holds an elo rating of 1848. Garma is expected to win the 1st round. Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., the PH delegation head and coach is confident that the Filipino chessers will perform well in this one of the biggest FIDE tournaments before the year end.
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-
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