21 hours Ago By Philippine News Agency
MANILA – International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad hopes to earn a Grandmaster title in the Australian chess circuit this month. The two-time Asian Seniors (65 over category) champion will join the Melbourne International Open (April 7-14, 2025), O2C Doeberl Cup in Canberra (April 17-21), and the Sydney International Open (April 23-27). “I hope to do well in the Australian Chess Circuit this month.
Hoping to get my third and final GM norm,” the 68-year-old player from Talisay, Camarines Norte, said on Thursday, April 3. Bagamasbad won the Asian Seniors Chess Championships (65 over category) in Auckland, New Zealand (2022) and Tagaytay City (2023) to earn two of three required norms to get a Grandmaster title. He thanked the Quezon City government, headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
chairperson and chief executive officer Alejandro “Al” Tengco for supporting his trip to Australia. Daniel Quizon, 20, secured his Grandmaster title after beating Grandmaster Igor Efimov of Georgia at the 2024 World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. / PNA.
