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:
2026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026Rep. Barzaga invited in Bakbakan sa Putatan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Weights Set from San Jose: Amari Jones and Vincenzo Gualtieri Cleared for IBF Middleweight Eliminator
Fri, 22 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Gilgeous-Alexander Back to MVP Form as Thunder Top Spurs 122-113 in West Game 2
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026IBA flag raised at the peak of Mount Everest following historic ascent
Fri, 22 May 2026Jacamos fights for vacant WBC Youth World junior fly in South Africa on May 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026Lastimosa to fight for vacant PBF Youth light fly crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Adds Seven Wins on Day Four at 2026 Copa America
Fri, 22 May 2026Bohat fights for PBF Silver bantamweight crown
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 21 May 2026AGM Bernardino to hold chess simul in San Manuel, Tarlac
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 21 May 2026JONES VS. GUALTIERI FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Thu, 21 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: From Madrid to Johannesburg – The Legacy of the WBC in South Africa
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 21 May 2026TYSON VS. MAYWEATHER EXHIBITION IS ON— TYSON BROKEN HAND PUSHES EVENT FROM SPRING TO FALL OF 2026
Thu, 21 May 2026Three Lions Promotions Building pro boxing back to Glory days in Metro Vancouver
Thu, 21 May 2026Jenn Perella shines, Bobby Laing stops Russ Kimber in 1st round
Thu, 21 May 2026