Davao’s newest FM
Miciano also earns first IM norm
DAVAO City's very own national master (NM) John Marvin Miciano earned his Fide master (FM) title after an impressive finish in the recently-concluded 2017 Penang Heritage City International Chess Open 2017 in Malaysia.
The 17-year-old Far Eastern University (FEU) senior high school student, according to his coach grand master (GM) Jayson Gonzales, also earned his first international master norm.
"NM Miciano finished six points after nine rounds, placed 17th out of 134 participants from 16 countries that attracted seven grand masters, 17 international masters and 11 Fide masters," Gonzales said in a statement.
Miciano was earlier seeded 37th.
He scored stunning upsets over Filipino IMs Haridas Pascua, sixth seed, and Emmanuel Senador, 21st seed, in second and seventh rounds, respectively. Miciano also outclassed FMs Deni Sonjaya nd Setyaki Azarya Jodi of Indonesia and Nhavin Kumaresan of Malaysia. He drew with India's Jaykumar Shete Sammed and Indonesian FM Yoseph Theolifus Taher.
Gonzales said, "His (Miciano's) current live rating is 2327, improving his previous rating of 2224."
Miciano's stint was supported by National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) president Cong. Prospero Pichay, Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and Far Eastern University.
He is also competing in the Johor Open International in Malaysia until December 19 in a bid to earn his second IM norm.
Dabawenyo IM Oliver Dimakiling, for his part, finished fifth in the tournament with a total of 6.5 points. He registered five wins and three draws, only losing to IM Ronny Gunawan of Indonesia.
Toril player Austin Jacob Literatus, a varsity mainstay of National University, also holds an FM title.