TAGAYTAY CITY---International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad remained undefeated after four rounds of action in the 12th Asian Senior Chess Championship on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the Knights Templar Hotel, Tagaytay City.
Bagamasbad, the defending champion, downed compatriot FIDE Master Antonio Molina for his fourth straight win to remain in sole possession of the top spot with a perfect 4.0 points and a whole point ahead of his closest pursuers in the Open 65+ division.
The Talisay, Camarines Norte native Bagamasbad, who is now based in Quezon City, needed 52 moves of a Nimzo-Indian Defense before subduing the Dubai based Pinoy FM who fell to solo fifth spot with 2.5 points. "It was a very intense match," said Bagamasbad, who will face second seed National Master Mario Mangubat in the fifth round on Wednesday.
Mangubat, on the other hand, the pride of Minglanilla, Cebu, defeated Miles Patterson of Australia to raise his total 3.0 points, the same output of FIDE Master Adrian Ros Pacis and top seed International Master Baimurzin Aitkazy of Kazakhstan.
Pacis outclassed Joselito Dormitorio while Aitkazy toppled National Master Quirino Sagario.
Meanwhile, International Master Chito Garma drew with Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. to stay on top and fortified his title chances in the Open 50+ division.
Garma, who also topped the same tournament in 2018 here in Tagaytay City now has 3.5 points, half-point-ahead with Antonio, FIDE Master Rudin Hamdani and Galymzhan Ibrayev of Kazakhstan who totes 3.0 points.
Hamdani bested International Master Angelo Abundo Young while Ibrayev subdued Ricky Navalta.
With the setbacks, Young remained at 2.5 points and dropped into a tie for 5th to 8th placers along with International Master Enrique Paciencia of Singapore, Candidate Master Helen Milligan of New Zealand and International Master Barlo Nadera of the Philippines.
The weeklong event is hosted by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, Cavite Vice Governor Athena Bryana Tolentino in close cooperation with the World Chess Federation, Asian Chess Federation and National Chess Federation of the Philippines chairman and president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.-Marlon Bernardino-
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