GM GONZALES EARNED 3RD GM NORM

Pinoys Gonzales, Nolte clinch GM, IM norms

Cebu Daily News

Posted date: January 20, 2008

JAYSON Gonzales earned his third and final grandmaster (GM) norm despite a loss in the 10th and penultimate round Friday, while compatriot Roland Nolte, also completed his International Master (IM) requirements and a first GM norm in the inaugural ASEAN Masters Chess Circuit in Tarakan City, East Kalimantan (Borneo). “Ngayon ko lamang nalaman na finally nakuha ko na ang 3rd at final GM norm ng makaiskor ako ng 7.0 points sa round 9,” an ecstatic Gonzales told CDN via long distance yesterday. Gonzales also said that Nolte earned his third and final IM norm and first GM norm when he scored 6.0 points after nine rounds. Meanwhile, National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCF) president Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., lauded Gonzales and Nolte's feat. “Magandang inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan at sa mga kabataan ang magandang hatid na balita nina Jayson (Gonzales) at Rolando (Nolte). Bagong GM at IM ng Pilipinas,” said Pichay. Aside from their latest victories, Gonzales and Nolte, both long-time residents of Quezon City, are also set to receive a recommendation from the city in a resolution to be filed by QC majority floor leader and 4th district councilor Ariel Inton. In the ninth round, Gonzales beat countryman FM Oliver Barbosa after 25 moves of a Nimzovitch Defense but succumbed to Armenian IM Ashot Nadanian after 74 moves of a Kings Indian Defense in the 10th. Nolte, on the other hand, upset Indon GM Herman Ardiansyah after 33 moves of a Sicilian Defense in the ninth round but lost to Indon FM Syarif Mahmud in the 10th.