MANILA – Considered a “late-comer” professionally in the sport of chess, a Filipino recently made waves in an international chess tournament held in Mongolia.
Placing sixth overall in the recently concluded Asian Seniors Championships held at Ulaanbaatar on August 9 to 19, 2024, Mr. Jose Efren Bagamasbad, 67, competed in the 65-year-old-and-above category.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, which covers the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with Mongolia, Bagamasbad already competed in the Asian Seniors Chess Championships, held in New Zealand in 2022, where he earned the title “International Master.”
A year later, he took home the championship when the competition was held in the Philippines.
(Photo courtesy of Philippine Embassy in Beijing)
“Efren’s triumph is proof of the importance of pursuing one’s passions, because there can be no limits if we put our minds to it,” Philippine Ambassador Jaime A. FlorCruz said in his congratulatory message to the Filipino chess player.
Bagamasbad told the Philippine Embassy that chess started as a hobby. He started playing as early as 8 years old but have to put it on the side to pursue his studies.
In 1979, he earned a Chemical Engineering degree and while working, was able to join his first international tournament in 1990, only because it was held in Manila. He narrated that he was able to reach the finals of the Far East Chess open, earning him the title of “National Master.”
He would join another international tournament in 2006 in Malaysia – and by then he was already retired.
“He may have started late, but it is all worth it for Mr. Bagamasbad, as he now gets to play a sport that has long been his passion,” the Embassy enthused.
In November this year, Bagamasbad hopes to compete in the World Senior Championships in Portugal, the Embassy added.
