MANILA, Philippines – Roland Salvador is the country’s newest chess Grandmaster (GM).

The San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan ace Salvador, who is currently based in Italy, formally earned the elusive GM title during the 11th edition of the International Chess Tournament Fermo-Porto San Giorgio held from August 21 to 29 at the Astoria Hotelin Fermo in Italy.

Salvador, a former top player of Rizal Technological University (RTU) under the wings of its President Dr. Jose Q. Macaballug and head coach Olympian NM Mauro Yasay in the 1990s, was declared the winner based on the best tiebreak score.

He doubled the celebration by fulfilling his third and final GM norm by virtue of the 7/9 FIDE rule.

Salvador, GM Vladimir Epishin of Russia, GM Peter Prohaszka of Hungrary, GM Viesturs Meijers of Latvia and GM Alberto David of Luxembourg tallied 7 points apiece in 9 outings but the Filipino took the championships trophy with a superior quotient in the event which attracted 103 players.

“Inaalay ko po sa bayan ang pagkapanalo ko dito sa Italy chess at pagkuha ng 3rd at final GM norm,” Salvador said on Sunday.

He said he was inspired by the support that National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) President/Chairman Prospero Pichay, Jr. has been giving Philippine chess.

“Hope sa future event po natin dito sa Europe ay matulungan din tayo ni President/ Chairman Pichay,” he added.

Pichay lauded Salvador’s latest feat in a separate interview: “He deserves this... I'm really happy for him. This proves once again that the Filipino can be at par with the world's best woodpushers.”
 
The undefeated Salvador, earlier beat Jon Arana Garate, Valerio Raineri, Rubern Bernadi and GM David. He settled a truce with IM Branir Certic of Serbia in the 5th, toppled IM Paolo Vezzosi of Serbia in the 6th and drew his last 3 remaining games against Epishin, Prohaszka and Meijers.

With his impressive performance in Italy , Salvador raised his ELO rating points from 2498 to 2511, enough to earn a Grandmaster status after breaking the ELO 2500 mark. Salvador achieved his 1st GM norm in 2004 in Bratto, Italy and picked up his 2nd GM norm in 2006 in Genova, Italy.

He will soon join the ranks of RP’s elite group of GMs which includes Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas, Jr., Rogelio “Joey” Antonio, Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II, Mark Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez and Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla.

However, Salvador and Barcenilla need to discuss their full-fledged GM title status in the upcoming World Chess Federation (FIDE) Congress which will coincide the World Chess Olympiad in Khanty Mansiyk in Russia on September 21 to October 3. – by Marlon Bernardino

11th edition of the International Chess Tournament
Fermo-Porto San Giorgio
Open Division (103 players) Final Standings

7 points---IM Roland Salvador (Philippines)
7 points---GM Vladimir Epishin (Russia)
7 points---GM Peter Prohaszka (Hungrary)
7 points---GM Viesturs Meijers (Latvia)
7 points---GM Alberto David (Luxembourg)
6.5 points---GM Manuel Leo Hoyos (Mexico)
6.5 points---IM Roberto Mogranzini (Italy)
6.5 points---Valerio Raineri (Italy)