Porto Santo Island, Portugal — Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma, a native of Sampaloc, Manila, is the latest Filipino to become a world champion in chess.

 

The 60-year-old Garma, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by Chairman Richard Bachmann, Commissioners Edward Hayco and Olivia "Bong" Coo, as well as the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/ President Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro "Al" Tengco, won the blitz event (3 minutes + 2 seconds increment time control format) this Friday , November 22, 2024, after recording 8 wins and 1 loss in nine games en route to the gold medal.

 

The blitz event is part of the FIDE World Senior Chess Championship being held at the Hotel Baleira in Porto Santo Island, Portugal.

 

Garma defeated the following players: Marat Primbetov of Kazakhstan, IM Ilgar Bajarani of Azerbaijan, IM Devaki Prasad of India, FM Richard Vedder of the Netherlands, IM Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan, IM Silvia Alexieva of France, IM Stefan Loeffler of Germany, and FM Pablo Alexander Ruiz Aguilar of Colombia. Garma's only loss was against Canada's FM Victor Plotkin in the fifth round.

 

FM Joachim Wallner of Austria won the silver medal while FM Plotkin finished with the bronze medal. Both Wallner and Plotkin averaged 7.0 points.

 

"I am very happy with my victory. This is an early Christmas present for me. Thank God for the blessings," said Garma.

 

He also thanked PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, Commissioner Edward Hayco, Commissioner Olivia "Bong" Coo, NCFP Chairman/President Cong. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP CEO/Executive Director GM Jayson Gonzales, NCFP Vice President Sen. Manny Pacquiao, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro "Al" Tengco, Victoria Sports Club, and sports journalist Mr. Noli Sangil Cruz and Mr. Travis Vincent Chua of Nova Wellness Store in support for his participation in the FIDE World Senior Chess Championships.

 

Meanwhile, Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat, a native of Minglanilla, Cebu, also won the bronze medal in the 65-over category, after getting 5.5 points. International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad graduated with 4.0 points.

 

"It was a tough fight. I thank God for my latest victory," said Mangubat, 66 years old, who was also supported by Minglanilla, Cebu mayor Rajiv Enad, in addition to the support of the PSC, NCFP, and PAGCOR .

 

According to PH delegation head and coach, Filipino and US chess master Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr., he is confident that their team will put up a good fight in the Standard time control event with 5 rounds to go.

 

In the 50-above category, Garma (3 points in 6 games) will face Germany's FM Rudolf Meesen in the seventh round this Saturday.

In the 65-over category, Mangubat (2 points in 6 games) will face IM Daniel Rivera of Uruguay, while Bagamasbad (2 points in 6 games) will face IM Nicolas Giffard of France.