2 Pinoys gun for final GM norms in KL

FILIPINO International Masters (IM) Oliver Dimakiling and Rolando Nolte will gun for their third and final grandmaster norms/results when the DYTM Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Invitational KL Masters 2013 gets underway on June 13 to 21 at the Swiss Inn Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Dimakiling, fresh from winning the gold medal in the blitz event of the PSC-POC Philippine National Games, seeks his third GM norm in the event organized by Polgar Chess Asia for the Kuala Lumpur Chess Association (KLCA) with support from the Malaysian Chess Federation and Malaysian Intellect Development Foundation.

“Sana makuha ko na ang 3rd at final GM norm ko dito sa KL Masters,” said the Davao City native Dimakiling, who earned his first GM norm after finishing as co-champion in the 2006 Malaysian Open.

Nolte, the pride of Quezon City meantime, is also hoping to earn his final GM norm to join the country’s elite chess circli headed by GM Wesley So.

“Gaya ni (Oliver) Dimakiling ay target ko din makuha ang 3rd at final GM norm sa KL Masters, Nolte said.

According to National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero ‘Butch’ Pichay Jr., a player needs to complete the required three norms and at least reach 2500 Elo rating once to become a GM. Dimakiling and Nolte, both have already accomplished the latter.

Filipino pawnpushers are expecting to face stiff competition from GMs Sergei Tiviakov of the Netherlands, Thomas Luther of Germany and IM Mas Hafizulhelmi of Malaysia, among others.