IM Bagamasbad eyes GM title in Australian Chess Circuit
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Apr 2025
MANILA, Philippines – For senior player Jose Efren Bagamasbad, it’s never too late to become a grand master.
The 68-year-old campaigner from Quezon City will try to achieve the remarkable feat as he represents the country at the coming Australian Chess Circuit.
A two-time Asian Seniors 65 over category champion, Bagamasbad is competing in the Melbourne International Open Chess Tournament to be held at Melbourne from April 7-14, 2025, the 2025 O2C Doeberl Cup Chess Tournament to be held at Canberra from April 17 - 21 2025, and the Sydney International Open 2025 to be held at Sydney from April 23-27, 2025.
Having won the Asian Seniors Chess Championships (65 over category) in Auckland, New Zealand and Tagaytay City, Philippines in 2022 and 2023, in order, got his two of three GM norms.
The Talisay, Camarines Norte native needed only 1 GM norm to complete his GM title status.
Bagamasbad's Australian Chess Circuit campaign was made possible with the support of the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Alejandro “Al” Tengco.
'I would like to thank the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Alejandro “Al” Tengco for supporting my Australian Chess Circuit campaign," said Bagamasbad, one of the top players of PCAP's IIEE-PSME Quezon City Simba's Tribe.
Bagamasbad will try to become the Philippine’s latest GM after 20-year-old Daniel Quizon earned the title after beating GM Igor Efimov of Georgia in the last World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.
"I hope to do well in the Australian Chess Circuit this month. Hoping to get my third and final GM norm," he added.
Bagamasbad is setting his eye to become the oldest grandmaster in history at the age of 68.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
Fri, 17 Apr 2026