Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 23 Nov 2024
Porto Santo Island, Portugal---Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma, who hails from Sampaloc, Manila, is the latest Filipino to become a world champion in chess.
The 60-year-old Garma, whose stint here is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) headed by its chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Edward Hayco, commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) chairman/president Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairman Alejandro "Al" Tengco, topped the blitz event, three minutes plus two seconds increment time control format, on Friday, November 22, 2024 with 8 wins and 1 loss in nine outings enroute the coveted gold medal.
The blitz event competition is an event of the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship being held at the Hotel Baleira in Porto Santo Island in Portugal here.
Garma hacked out victories over Marat Primbetov of Kazakhstan, IM Ilgar Bajarani of Azerbaijan, IM Devaki Prasad of India, FM Richard Vedder of the Netherlands, IM Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan, IM Silvia Alexieva of France, IM Stefan Loeffler of Germany and FM Pablo Alexander Ruiz Aguilar of Colombia, respectively. He lost to FM Victor Plotkin of Canada in the fifth round.
FM Joachim Wallner of Austria won the runner up honors for the silver medal while FM Plotkin settled for third for the bronze medal. Wallner and Plotkin, both tallied 7.0 points apiece.
"I am very happy with my victories. It's an early Christmas gift to me. Thank God for the blessings," said Garma.
"I would like to thank PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, commissioner Edward Hayco, commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo, NCFP Chairman/President Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, NCFP Vice President Sen. Manny Pacquiao, PAGCOR chairman Alejandro "Al" Tengco, Victoria Sports Club, veteran sports journalist Mr. Noli Sangil Cruz and Mr. Travis Vincent Chua of Nova Wellness Store for supporting my participation in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships", he added.
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat, the pride of Minglanilla, Cebu won the bronze medal in the 65 over category with 5.5 points. Another Filipino entry International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad finished the tournament with 4.0 points.
"It was a tough match. I thank God for my latest achievement winning the bronze medal in the 65 over category," said the 66 year old Mangubat, whose stint here is also supported by Minglanilla, Cebu mayor Rajiv Enad aside from the backing of the PSC, NCFP and PAGCOR.
PH delegation head and coach Filipino and United States chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. is very confident that the triumvirate will perform well in the Standard time control event with 5 rounds to go.
Garma (3 out of 6) will be playing with FM Rudolf Meesen of Germany in the seventh round of the 50 and above category on Saturday.
In the 65 over category, Mangubat (2 out of 6) goes up against IM Daniel Rivera Urugay while Bagamasbad (2 out of 6) versus IM Nicolas Giffard of France.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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