Barbosa rules 1st Pocamps chess in Myanmar

Final Standings:
7.5 pts — IM Oliver Barbosa (Philippines)
7.0 pts — Li Hanbing (China)
6.5 pts — IM Richard Bitoon (Philippines), FM Mari Joseph Turqueza (Philippines), IM Nguyen Van Huy (Vietnam), IM Atanu Lahiri (India), IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma (India), IM Myo Naing (Myanmar), Moun Moun Latt (Myanmar)
6.0 pts — IM Wynn Zaw Htun (Myanmar), Myint Han (Myanmar), Zayar (Myanmar)

It’s one title that deserves to be won by a Filipino. And International Master Oliver Barbosa made sure of that.

Barbosa tallied 7.5 points in nine rounds last Monday to run away with the 1st Florencio Campomanes Memorial Yangon International Open Chess 2011 at the Central Hotel Bogyoke in Myanmar.

Barbosa, who is targeting the elusive GM title this year, won $3,000 in the $10,000 competition held to honor the late Filipino FIDE honorary president Florencio “Pocamps” Campomanes.

“With the victory, Barbosa’s performance boosted the nation’s morale,” said longtime chess benefactor Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) which bankrolled the stint of the three Filipino representatives in the tough event.

The former Surigao del Sur representative believes that with Barbosa’s triumph, more Filipinos will be interested and hopefully excel in chess.

Li Hanbing of China finished second 7.0 points and went home with the $1,600 runner-up purse.

Seven players including Cebuano IM Richard Bitoon and compatriot FM Mari Joseph Turqueza, IM Nguyen Van Huy of Vietnam, IM Atanu Lahiri and IM Dinesh Kumar Sharma of India, IM Myo Naing and Moun Moun Latt of Myanmar shared third to ninth places with 6.5 points.

IM Wynn Zaw Htun, Myint Han and Zayar of Myanmar finished in a tie for 10th to 12th spots with 6.0 points.

Last July 3, Barbosa, the 2011 Moscow Open runner-up scored 8.0 points in nine rounds of play to rule the 2011 Artillery Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (AFPI) “Chess for a Cause” national rapid chess championships at the Philippine Army Gymnasium in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City.