RP gets 13th chess grandmaster

ANOTHER Filipino joined the world's elite roster of finest chess players as Roland Salvador became the country's 13th grandmaster after copping his third and final GM norm in the 11th International Chess Tournament Fermo-Porto San Giorgio in Italy.

Salvador tied GMs Vladimir Ephishin of Russia, Peter Prohaszka of Hungary, Viesturs Meijers of Latvia, Alberto David of Luxembourg, and Manuel Leon Hoyos of Mexico for the top spot over the weekend as he shoots for the 2500 rating in the quarterly FIDE rankings.

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In his route to victory, Salvador defeated Italians Jon Arana Garate, Valerio Raineri, Rubern Bernadi, and GM David in succession while drawing with IM Branic Certic of Serbia in the fifth round.

Salvador is set to join other Filipino GMs Wesley So, Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas, Joey Antonio, Bong Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Joseph Sanchez, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, Mark Paragua, John Paul Gomez, and Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. in the power cast.

Both Salvador and Barcenilla are tipped to earn their GM status during the Fide Congress in this year's Olympiad.

This is a piece of good news for the Philippines, which is aiming for a better world ranking.

Prospero Pichay, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president, earlier said he is mulling to raise the country's current rank from 35 to 20th place in five years, although this can only be achieved by extending more funds to budding Filipino woodpushers. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)