SALVADOR BEATS SERBIAN GM; INCHES CLOSER TO GM TITLE

FILIPINO International Master Roland Salvador (2464) defeated Serbian Sinisa Drazic (2528) in the eight and penultimate round to inch closer for the coveted Grandmaster Title (GM title) in the on-going dubbed as 29 E. Crespi 2008 Magistrale in Milan, Italy, yesterday.

Salvador, a former Rizal Technological University (RTU) Mandaluyong Campus stand-out notch 6.0 points to share 2^nd to 4^th placers in the company of top seed GM Yuri Solodovnichenko (2591) of Ukraine and IM Lawrence Trent (2470) of England.

Salvador needed only a draw against his last round match to virtual champion and second seed GM Karen Movsziszian (2558) of Armenia to obtain his third and final GM norm. Movsziszian settled for a truce with Lawrence to raise his total 7.0 points.

However, if possible Salvador earned his last GM norm, he needed to increase his 2464 to 2500 to complete his GM title status according to the Fide Handbook rules.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., said. ” Ito ang nagpapatunay na tayong mga Filipino ay malaki ang tsansa natin na makipagsabayan sa mga world power sa larangan ng chess. I hope na makuha na ni Roland (Salvador) ang kanyang final GM norm,” said Pichay, who produced four grandmasters under his term.

Salvador is eyeing to join the country’s elite GM circle which includes Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales and John Paul Gomez.

BY: MARLON BERNARDINO.