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-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Magnificent 7 boxers gird for Asiad
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback'
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 24 Jul 2026“BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 24 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Jul 2026