INQUIRER Sports

FILIPINO International Master Oliver Barbosa bagged his 18th title in the United States chess circuit by topping the Marshall Chess Club Saturday game 60 minutes Chess Championships at the Marshall Chess Club in New York, New York last Aug. 1.

Barbosa, who hails from Taytay, Rizal scored a perfect 4.0 points after beating William Wijaya, Sam Barsky, GM Michael Rohde and IM Jay Bonin, respectively.

Barbosa is currently seeing in action in the 10th Grand Prix Points Tonight in New York and is in joint 4th after four rounds.

Barbosa also participated in the 15th annual Northeast Open Chess Championships in Stamford, Connecticut last August 9 and tied for 2nd-4th places after tallying 4.0 points. GM Alexander Ivanov won the event with 4.5 points in five outings. His only draw was against Barbosa in the final round. Barbosa?s US chess campaign is supported by NCFP president Prospero ?Butch? Pichay Jr., and New York Immigration lawyer Filipino Geronimo ?Gerry? Albano. /Correspondent Marlon Bernardino