Salvador is RP’s latest Grandmaster
ROLAND Salvador is the country’s newest chess Grandmaster.
A native of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan and is currently based in Italy, Salvador earned his third and final GM result after topping the Tournament Fermo-Porto San Giorgio last Aug. 29 at the Astoria Hotel in Fermo in Italy.
Salvador actually ended up tied for first with four other players at seven points each, but took the title via a superior tiebreak score.
The Filipino made it a double celebration by earning 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 identical 7 points out of nine games, with Salvador earning the best tiebreak score in the tournament, which lured 103 players.
NCFP Executive Director Willie Abalos said chess president Prospero Pichay has already directed him to coordinate with Asian Chess Federation deputy vice president Toti Abundo on whether it is still possible for Salvador’s name to be included in the list of new grandmasters in time for the Fide Congress slated Sept. 21 to Oct. 3.
Salvador beat Jon Arana Garate, Valerio Raineri, Rubern Bernadi and GM David, respectively, on his way to the title. He settled for a draw with IM Branir Certic of Serbia in the fifth, downed IM Paolo Vezzosi of Italy in the sixth and drew his last three remaining games against Epishin, Prohaszka and Meijers, respectively.
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