MANILA – Senior chess players Chito Garma and Efren Bagamasbad are proving that age is no barrier to achieving greatness. The two Filipino chess veterans are set to compete at the 32nd FIDE World Senior Chess Championships in Porto, Portugal, from November 16-29, with the grandmaster (GM) title in their sights.
Garma, a two-time Olympian, will compete in the 50-above category, while Bagamasbad takes on the 65-plus division. Both players earned their spots by topping their respective categories in the 12th Asian Senior Chess Championships held in Tagaytay City last year.
“Becoming a world senior champion is a prestigious feat because it comes with the GM title,” Garma said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday. At 60, the International Master (IM) remains determined to inspire younger players. “If we seniors can do it, so can they,” he added.
Bagamasbad, a two-time Asian Seniors champion, echoed Garma’s sentiment, emphasizing their focus and commitment to achieve the best results. “Chito and I will give it our all and stay focused. We’ll forget the pressure and just do our best,” he said.
The two players will attempt to join the ranks of Filipino grandmasters, with 20-year-old Daniel Quizon being the most recent, earning his title after defeating GM Igor Efimov of Georgia at the World Chess Olympiad in Hungary.
National Master Mario Mangubat, based in Cebu, rounds out the three-man Philippine team, competing in the 50-plus division. Mangubat placed third in the Asian Seniors Chess Championships, behind Bagamasbad and IM Aitkazy Baimurzin of Kazakhstan.
Garma and Bagamasbad will face tough competition, but they remain optimistic. “We have a big chance,” Garma said. “Hopefully, we’ll be fortunate when we get there.”
The World Senior Chess Championships, first held in Germany in 1991, offers an opportunity for veteran players to showcase their skills on the global stage.
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