
Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 25 Nov 2024
Porto Santo Island, Portugal --- International Master Chito Danilo Garma of the Philippines climbed to eight after beating FIDE Master Rudolf Meessen of Belgium in 75 moves of the French defense, advance variation after round 7 of the 32nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championship on Sunday at the Hotel Baleira in Porto Santo Island, Portugal here.
Garma, thus improved to 4.5 points in the 50 and above category of the standard time control format along with GM Eduardas Rozentalis of Lithuania, IM Uffe Vinter-Schou of Denmark, GM Gregory Kaidanov of the USA, GM Yuri Piskov if Russia, IM Ilgar Bajarani of Azerbaijan, GM Igor Glek of Belgium, GM Roman Ovechkin of Russia, FM Stephan Giemsa of Germany, GM Klaus Bischoff of Germany, IM Josep Anton Lacasa Diaz of Spain, IM David Cummings of Canada and Biser Georgie of Bulgaria.
FIDE Master Mario Mangubat of the Philippines drew with International Master Daniel Rivera of Uruguay to climb to a huge group with 3.5 points.
The 60-year-old Sampaloc, Manila resident Garma is the 50 and above winner of the blitz competition while the 66-year-old Minglanilla, Cebu bet Mangubat is the 65 and over category champion of the rapid event. He also won a bronze medal in the 65 over category of the blitz event. 
Another Filipino entry Jose Efren Bagamasbad was not fortunate losing to International Master Nicolas Giffard of France. The 68-year-old Camarines Norte native Bagamasbad remains at 3.0 points.
In the 8th round, Garma is set to play with GM Frank Holzke of Germany, Mangubat goes up against FM Boris Furman of Russia while Bagamasbad opposes Sippo Puroila of Finland.
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.
"I hope to sustain my momentum going to the last four rounds," said the 2-time Asian Senior champion Garma, who already has 2 GM norms under his belt.
"I'll go out for a win in my remaining games," added Mangubat, the 2023 Asian Senior bronze medal winner.
"I'll hope to bounce back in contention," last word of Bagamasbad, the reigning Asian Senior back to back champion in the 65 over category.-Marlon Bernardino-
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