Filipino Barbosa claims 3rd Grandmaster norm

Filipino International Master Oliver Barbosa won over Vietnamese IM Nguyen Van Huy in the seventh then split a point with Malaysian IM Mas Hafizulhelmi in the eight round  to earn his third and final GM norm going to the ninth round of the DYTM Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Invitational Masters at the Swiss Garden Hotel and Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia late Friday.

The former University of the Philippines standout raised his total to 6.5 points, the needed score for a GM aspirant, according to tournament director and event organizer Fide Master Peter Long.

The tournament follows a single-round robin format and is a category 9 World Chess Federation (FIDE)-sanctioned event.

Barbosa of Taytay, Rizal got his first GM norm in the 10th Asian Continental Individual Chess Championships in Mashhad, Iran last May.

He earned his second GM norm during the National Chess Championship: 4th Battle of the Grandmasters at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila last July.

“Nagbunga din po y’ung pagtitiyaga ko. Salamat sa walang humpay na suporta ni chairman Prospero Pichay sa local at international tournament ko pati kay PSC chairman Ricardo Garcia,” said Barbosa, currently no.4 in the latest Philippines-FIDE ranking list.

Barbosa (ELO 2538) is gunning for another major title this year by facing last round assignment former Asian junior champion Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung.

Barbosa is set to join the elite circle of Filipino GMs, including Eugene Torre, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Roland Salvador, Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Julio Catalino Sadorra and the late Rosendo Balinas Jr.

Another Filipino entry, IM Richard Bitoon, scored back-to-back draws against Singaporean IM Goh Wei Ming and Indian IM Das Arghyadip, respectively for 5.5 points.

The Medellin, Cebu native is in a must-win situation against Uzbek GM Tahir Vakhidov in the final round to obtain his third and final GM norm.

In the swiss competition, NM Edgar Reggie Olay of the Philippines defeated Aussie IM Brian Kelly to score 6.0 points in eight outings and secure his final International Master (IM) norm.

The Davao, Kidapawan-based Olay, whose stint here is backed by Dan Calica and Gov. Lala Talio-Mendoza, earned his first IM norm during the 2008 Pichay International Open in Subic.

His second IM norm was taken during the 2010 Pichay International Open at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.