TAGAYTAY City– World Seniors Chess Championships-bound IM Efren Bagamasbad battled to a draw against FM Adrian Pacis to take a commanding two-points to lead in the 65-year-old and above category in the 12th Asian Seniors Chess Championships held at the Knights Templar Hotel.

Bagamasbad, who earned the “Chess Player of the Year” award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) after his triumphant campaign in New Zealand last year, has a record of six wins and one draw to move even closer to the back-to-back championships.

The 67-year-old Filipino champion, who is scheduled to participate in the 2023 World Seniors in Terrasini, Italy later this month, is two points ahead of four players — FM Pacis, Mario Mangubat Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan and Randolph Schain of Cambodia.

Mangubat battled to a draw against Baimurzin, while Schain defeated Pricha Srivatanakul of Thailand to stay in the hunt with four in a half points.

Quirino Sagario outclassed Biket Zharokov of Kazakhstan to move up into a tie with Antonio Molina and Miles Patterson of Australia with 4 points.

Over in the 50-above category, IM Chito Garma outlasted Enrique Paciencia to reclaim the top spot with six points.

GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. defeated FM Ahmad Ismail of Malaysia, while FM Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia outdueled Galymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan, both earning 5.5 points.

Barlo Nadera outwitted Angelo Young, Ricky Navalta secured a draw against Helen Milligan of New Zealand while Edgardo Garma defeated Joseph Ebenezer of India.

The nine-round competition is hosted by the Tagaytay City government, led by Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP), led by Chairman/President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

The total cash prize pool is $3,000, with the champion receiving the lion’s share of $500

The runner-up and third-place finisher will earn $400 and $300, respectively.

The top three players will also be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Mike Lapitan is the tournament director, while Casto “Toti” Abundo serves as the supervising arbiter.

Standings after seven rounds:

50-above

6 points — C. Garma
5.5 — R. Antonio, R. Hamdani (Indonesia)
4.5 — B. Nadera
4 — G. Ibrayev (Kazakhstan), A. Young
3.5 points– H. Milligan (New Zealand), E. Garma, R. Navalta, E. Paciencia (Singapore), I. Bulanova (Kazakhstan)
3– A. Ismail (Malaysia), O. Ferdinand, G. Ulsano
2.5 — J. Ebenezer (India), D. Reyes
2 — Y. Gaichenya (Kazakhstan)

65-above

6.5 points — E. Bagamasbad
4.5– A.Pacis, M.Mangubat, A. Baimurzin (Kazakhstan), R. Schain (Cambodia)
4– Q. Sagario, M. Patterson (Australia), A. Molina
3.5– J. Dormitorio, T. Weller (Australia), K. H. Lim (Malaysia),
3– P. Srivatanakul (Thailand)
2.5– B. Zharokov (Kazakhstan), T. Demezhanov (Kazakhstan)

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya