INTERNATIONAL Master (IM) Rolando Nolte reinforced his position as one of the Philippines’ top chess players when he ruled the 5th Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2013 at the Red Rock Hotel in Penang, Malaysia Friday night.
Nolte defeated Malaysian Yeoh Li Tian in the final round to score 7.5 points in nine outings to bag the top prize worth 5,000 Malaysian Ringgit.
IM Andrey Kvon of Uzbekistan, IM candidate Roel Abelgas of the Philippines and FM Riste Menkinoski of Macedonia finish tied for 2nd to 4th spots with 7.0 points.
GM Alexander Fominyh of Russia led a huge group of 6.5 pointers that includes Yeoh Li Tian, FM Nelson “Elo” Mariano III and Ivan Gil Biag of the Philippines, Fong Yit San of Malaysia, FM Deni Sonjaya of Indonesia, Marcus Chan of Malaysia and IM Luis Chiong IV of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the world’s youngest FIDE Master, 7-year old Alekhine Nouri topped the Under-8 category with 5.5 points while NM Carlo Magno Rosaupan of the Philippine Army placed solo second in the Challengers section with 7.5 points, a full point behind eventual champion Gelar Sagara of Indonesia.
The Filipinos’ chess campaign in Malaysia is supported by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino