New Pinoy grandmaster

A NEW grandmaster is always big news. Julio Catalino Sadorra is the country’s 14th chess grandmaster.


This was revealed just recently by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., who produced eight GMs under his six-year leadership.



The eight are Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla and Roland Salvador.


In the past, it took at least 45 years to produce GMs in the likes of Eugene Torre, the late Rosendo Balinas Jr., Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano II and Mark Paragua.


“Ino (Julio Catalino Sadorra) from Cavite, is assured of his third and final GM norm after beating GM Alex Shabalov in the 10th round of the 2011 University Texas (UT) Dallas Grandmaster International Tournament,” said Pichay.


The tournament was held last week.


He finished with 7.5 points, placing in a three-way tie for second with GM Julio Becerra of the USA and GM Dejan Bojkov of Bulgaria. The 24-year-old Filipino was just 0.5 points adrift of GM Valentin Iotov of Bulgaria, who bagged the title with 8 points.


Sadorra earned his first GM norm during the President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup last 2008 and he got his second GM norm during the Battle of GMs in Tagaytay last June 2010.


“I have also crossed the 2500 rating in the live ratings for the first time,” Sadorra informed Pichay via e-mail. This is important as an Elo rating of at least 2500 is
necessary for GM confirmation.


According to Sadorra’s father Bing, Ino continues to represent the Philippines in all his tournaments in the US while pursuing an academic degree at the University of Texas Dallas.


His 2011 summer schedule includes tournaments in the US mainland: Chicago Open, World Open and US Open. Incidentally, he tied for second place in the 2010 US Open, but unfortunately missed his final GM norm because he was not paired against the required number of GMs and titled players.


To the young players, Julio said, “My message to our promising juniors is to hold on to their dreams of becoming a GM. Work on improving your games by studying your games with a master to learn your weaknesses and solve positions that will strengthen them.”


“I would like to start by praising and thanking God who is always in control, even when we think things are going wrong. I almost gave up pursuing my last norm while pursuing my degree (Business Administration)... I kept working on chess whenever I got some free time and trusted that God will let me have the GM title this year, which I’ve been aspiring to achieve since I was 10. With my training and support from loved ones, I played my best on every round. I must say that I’ve never played so solid before,” he said.


Pichay said the NCFP will also “fully support Sadorra’s future tournaments.”


Local news. The Elementary Inter-school chess festival was held at the Ateneo in Manila last March 19 and our kids performed well as expected. Child wonders Kyle Sevillano won third place in the boys section, while Vic Glysen Derotas won the girls’ division.


Glysen was offered an elementary scholarship at Arellano University and a high school scholarship in Ateneo.


The Lapu-Lapu City Chess Club recently elected its new set of officers for 2011. They are Judy Tamala (president), Norman Olaybar (vice-president), Allan Bongolto (secretary), Rolando Torres (treasurer), Aldwin Daculan (PRO), Weynard Labastida (Sgt. at arms). The board members are Dennis Ferrer and Jun Olis.


Chessmoso will induct their new set of officers today.


(boypestano@gmail.com,www.chessmoso.blogspot.com)