Bagamasbad rules Asian srs chess

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino chess player Efren Bagamasbad believes age isn’t a hindrance to achieve one’s dream.

On Thursday night, the 66-year-old Talisay, Camarines Norte native took a step closer to becoming a grandmaster as he topped the Asian Seniors Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.

Bagamasbad finished undefeated with 7.5 points on six victories and three draws including one in the ninth and final round with local bet Paul Beach to claim the crown, an outright International Master title and the first of three norms to become a GM.

And he’s determined to pursue his dream.

“I’ve told my friend, the late Alex Milagrosa when he was still alive that we could still set a record as the oldest Filipino to become a GM and break Jayson Gonzales’ record when he took the title at 38 years old,” Bagamasbad told The STAR. “I’m closer now and I hope to break it.”