New Pinoy Super Grandmaster: Julio Catalino Sadorra

Reaches Historic Chess Mark after winning US chess tournament

by Marlon Bernardino

Live rating:

2600.9   (Standard)

2531  (Rapid)

2544  (Blitz) 

MANILA, Philippines---United States based Grandmaster Julio Catalino Sadorra of the Philippines recently topped the 2014 Lone Star Open Chess Champion with an unbeaten record of four wins and a draw in five outings last February 21 to 23 at the Marriott North Greenspoint  in Houston, Texas.

Sadorra, a member of the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) in Dallas, Texas, gained three (3) elo rating points in the said chessfest, enough to tally a 2600.9 elo rating.

"Congratulation to Mr. Julio Catalino Sadorra for winning the Lone Star Open Chess Champion last month in Houston, Texas." said National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman/President Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr. in an interview by this writer on Tuesday.

" Ino's (Julio Catalino Sadorra) live rating is 2600.9. He is now officially the third player from the Philippines to break the 2600 rating mark."  added Pichay, who is also Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) auditor.

Grandmaster John Paul Gomez of Binan, Laguna, room mate of GM Sadorra in last year's Manny Pacquiao Cup International here in Manila had something to say: " I'm very confident that Ino will break the 2600 elo barrier."

Candidate Master Johnny Teves of Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna who is best known to remember who scoring 8/9 on Board 1 during the last year's Malaysian Open team tournament added: " Another good news for Philippine Sports after our very own GM Julio Catalino Sadorra is the 3rd Filipino Super Grandmaster ." 

Mark Paragua is the first Filipino to break the 2600 elo barrier with 2618 in January 2006. Best elo of Paragua is 2621 on April 2006. Wesley So is the second Filipino to break the 2600 barrier or much known Super Grandmaster. He tallied 2610 on October 2008.

Wesley So has a current live rating of 2740.3.