TAGAYTAY City — Former Asian Seniors champions IM Chito Garma and IM Efren Bagamasbad continued their strong showing after three rounds in the 12th Asian Seniors Chess Championships at the Knights Templar Hotel here.

Garma, who is hoping to add another Asian Seniors Championship following a similar triumph in 2018, outwittsed FM Rudin Hamdani of Indonesia for his third straight win and the solo lead in the centerpiece 50-year old and above category in the nine-round tournament hosted by Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Cavite Vice Gov. Athena Tolentino.

Garma, who also topped the same tournment in 2018, defeated Galaymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan and compatriot Ricky Navalta in the first two rounds to take the lead with three points.

Top seed GM Rogelio Antonio, Jr. outduelled IM Barlo Nadera, while IM Angelo Young bested CM Hellen Milligan of New Zealand to share second to third places with 2.5 points.

Four players, led by Galymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan and Ricky Navalta, have two points apiece.

Ibrayev crushed FM Ahmad Ismail of Malaysia, Navalta overwhelmed Ferdiannd Olivares, and FM Edgardo Garma downed IM Enrique Paciencia of Singapore.

Kazakhstan’s two female players — Yelena Galchenya defeated Badrakh Bagt-Erdene of Mongolia and Irina Bulanova humbled Danilo Reyes — to keep their hopes alive.

Over in the 65-above category, Bagamasbad trounced Quirio Sagario to notch his third straight victory in as mnay rounds.

Bagamsbad, who is set to represent the country in the 2023 World Seniors in Terrasini, Italy later this month, also won over Kazakhstan Chess Federation vice president FM Biket Zharokov in the first round and Tony Weller of Australia in the second round.

Bagamasbad, the 67-year-old Filipino champion who was voted as the “Chess Player of the Year” by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) following his successful title campaign in New Zealand last year.is half a pointahead of FM Antonio Molina after three rounds.

Molina, a regular national executive campaigner in the 80s before leaving to work in Saudi Arabia, battled FM Adrian Pacis to a draw.

Miles Patterson of Australia edged Zharokov, Joselito Dormitorio outclassed Weller and Mario Mangubat drew with top seed Randolph Schain of Cambodia to stay within striking distance with two points apiece.

Mike Lapitan is the tournament director while Casto “Toti” Abundo is the supervising arbiter of the event supported by the National Chess Federation (NCFP), headed by Chairman-President Prospero “Butch” Pichay.

At stake are cash prizes amounting of $3,000 with the champion receiving US$500.

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

The top three placers will also receive gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The fourth up to the sixth placers will get $200, $150 and $150.

The best female participant will pocket the special prize of $300.

Gold medalist (first after tiebreak) in Standard chess open category shall receive a GM norm. first equal (first three after tie break) will receive the IM title.

Silver and bronze medalists shall receive IM norms and FM titles.

For a direct title to be awarded immediately an applicant has to have achieved at some time or other a minimum rating as follows: IM 2200, WIM 2000, FM 2100, WFM 1900.

Standings after three rounds:

50-above

3 points — C. Garma

2.5 — R. Antonio, A. Young

2 –G. Ibrayev (Kazakhstan), R. Hamdani (Indonesia), R. Navakta, E. Garma.

1.5 — H. Milligan (New Zealand), J. Ebenezer (India), E. Paciencia (Singapore), B. Nadera, G. Ulsano.

65-above

3 — E. Bagamasbad

2.5 –A. Molina

2 –M. Patterson (Australia), A. Baimurzin (Kazakhstan), A. Pacis, L. Dormitorio, Q. Sagario, M.Mangubat.