Mobile Home | Desktop Version




Filipino International Master Garma beats Lithuanian Grandmaster

By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 21 Nov 2024

Porto Santo Island, Portugal ----Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma beat Lithuanian Grandmaster Maxin Novik in a hard-fought match to claim his third consecutive win after the fourth round of the 32nd World Senior Chess Championship at Hotel Baleira in Porto Santo Island, Portugal on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old Garma, whose stint here is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, use his vast knowledge with the white pieces to beat the Lithuanian GM after 34 moves of the Sicilian Defense.
Thus, Garma who is seeking his third and final GM norm, climbs in a tie at 6th to 14th places along with his fifth round opponent GM Yuri Piskov of Russia.

"It was a tough match playing against the famous Sicilian Defense. I'll defend well," said Garma, who helped Manila Indios Bravos to the championship of the recently concluded Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) Super GM Wesley So Cup.

PH delegation head and coach Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. is very confident that Garma can get his third and final GM norm in the 32nd World Senior Chess Championship 50 and above category.

Meanwhile, GM Alexander Shabalov of the United States defeated GM Mikheil Kekelidze of Georgia to create a five-way tie for first place with 3.5 points each that includes GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel, GM Boris Chatalbashev of Denmark, GM Michal Kradenkov of Poland and GM Andrei Maksimenko of Ukraine.

In the 65 over category, FIDE Master Mario Mangubat toppled Undriadi Benggawan of Canada while International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad yielded to Alexander Yakimenko of Russia.
Mangubat tallied 1.5 points in four outings while Bagamasbad remains at 1.0 point.

Mangubat will meet Tom Braathen of Sweden in Round 5 while Bagamasbad goes up against CM Carlos Araya Umana of Costa Rica.
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:

  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ellaine Summer Abanco wins silver medal on tiebreak
    By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Catubig, McDowell win in DC Athletic 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Team Juna wins first competition in IRONMAN 70.3 Davao
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Round 12: Without Promoters there is no Boxing
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Mexican female IBF Champion Irma Garcia to defend on April 5 in England
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • 14-0 super middleweight prospect Tommy ‘The Governor’ Hyde to headline April 18th at home in Cork, Ireland
    Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • MMA legend Jon Jones joins IBA Bare Knuckle as global ambassador
    Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS NEW EXCLUSIVE MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP EXTENSION WITH DAZN
    Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Fighters Shine with Statement Victories in Orlando
    Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Red Owl Boxing Presents Box Fest XVII on Friday, April 3rd at The Archer Music Hall in Allentown, PA and LIVE on DAZN
    Tue, 24 Mar 2026
  • Boxing world fans waiting Isis Sio prompty recovery; Team Isis Sio statement
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 24 Mar 2026