By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Filipino International Master Chito Garma sustained his winning form Tuesday night, prevailing over Poland’s Tomasz Sielicki in the third round of the 32nd World Senior Chess Championships at the Hotel Villa Baleira on Porto Santo Island, Portugal.
Garma, with an Elo rating of 2217, conquered Sielicki (Elo 1976) after 35 moves of the Reti Opening in the 50 and above category.
The 34th-seeded Filipino now has two points in three outings. After losing to Nigerian Paul Obiahiwe (1848) in the first round, he conquered German Michael Hoffman last Monday.
“I’m very happy with this victory,” said the 60-year-old Garma, who already has two Grandmaster norms.
Garma is tied with top seed GM Kiril Georgiev of Bulgaria, who bowed to GM Boris Chatalbashev of Denmark, and GM Maxin Novik of Lithuania.
Chatalbashev, GM Victor Mikhalevski of Israel and GM Michal Krasenkov of Poland are on top of the standings with three points.
Meanwhile, Filipino IM Jose Efren Bagamasbad defeated Swiss Hans Joller after 52 moves of the Sicilian Defense, Smith Morra Gambit in the 65 and over category.
“It added confidence on my part for notching my first win,” said the 68-year-old Bagamasbad of Camarines Norte. He is seeking a third norm to become a GM.
In the other match, FIDE Master Mario Mangubat lost to Bart Stam of the Netherlands after 42 moves of the English Opening.
Bagamasbad will be up against Russian Alexander Yakimenko while Mangubat will face Canadian Undriadi Benggawan. (PNA)
