NOLTE SETTLES FOR A DRAW WITH BANGLADESH IM IN KOLKOTA CHESS

MUST WAIT FOR HIS GM NORM

FILIPINO International Master Rolando Nolte (2412) move closer to obtain his grandmaster norm after settling a draw with the black pieces against IM Enamul Hossain (2522) of Bangladesh after 34 moves of a Sicilian Defense, Nadjorf variation in the eight round of 3rd Kolkata Open International Grandmasters Chess Tournament at the Alekhine Chess Club, Gorky Sadan in Kolkata, India on Monday.

The enlisted personnel of the Philippine Airforce remain undefeated in eight outings, who compiled total 5.5 points on account of 3 wins, 5 draws, good for him to tie at 9th to 18th placers along with ninth and penultimate round opponent GM Abdulla Al-Rakib (2506) of Bangladesh, also halve the point with GM Tejas Bakre (2459) of India after 44 moves of a Nimzo-Indian Defense.

National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. said yesterday that Nolte can earn his GM norm after his nine games of play last night to Bangladesh GM Al-Rakib.

"Ayon sa Fide (World Chess Federation) rules, ang isang manlalaro na nagnanais na makakuha ng norm (FM, IM, GM) ay igagawad at least maka nine games siya, y'ung ang requirement. Sa kaso ni (Rolando) Nolte, wait pa natin y'ung game niya mamya (Kagabi), pero ang maganda ay na meet niya na 'yung tatlong magkakaibang federation para sa GM norm." Pichay referring Nolte's encounter more than three different federations came from India, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Russia as well Bangladesh last night.

Nolte earlier beat Nimmy A G (2222) of India in the first round then subdued Ghosh Diptayan (2016) of India in the second and held into a draw with GM Das Neelotpal (2486) of India in third, GM Vladimir Dobrov (2501) of Russia in the fourth, GM RB Ramesh (2473) of India in the fifth before upsetting GM Smbat Lputian (2616) of Armenia in the sixth round round. He also drew with GM Shukhrat Safin (2493) of Uzbekistan in the seventh and IM Hossain in the eight on Monday.

"Pero maganda kung manalo si (Rolando) Nolte sa laro niya mamyang gabi (kagabi) para may chance pa siya sa title bukod sa pagkuha sa GM norm," added Pichay, who bankrolled the trip of Nolte and two others Filipino campaigner in Kolkota Chess in this 10 round Swiss-system tournament.

Compatriot IM Oliver Barbosa (2410) needed 29 moves using the white pieces to beat Gurpreet Pal Singh (2292) of India in their Queens Pawn Game to raise his total 5.0 points and climbed into a tie for 19th to 32nd placers together with next round opponent GM Lputian, who drew his match to GM Niaz Murshed (2428) of Bangladesh after 37 moves of a Reti Opening.

Meanwhile IM Chito Garma (2383) defeated Kutwal Shashikant (2316) of India to score 4.5 points and share 33rd to 47th placers with ninth round opponent Aditya Udeshi (2331) of India, who drew her match to countryman WIM Nadig Kruttika (2208).

Four Grandmasters Krishnan Sasikiran (2677), Koneru Humpy (2612) and Sandipan Chanda (2593) of India and Viktor Laznicka (2595) of Czech Republic share the lead after the eighth round with 6.5 points each.

Contributed by MARLON BERNARDINO