IM Dimakiling stuns 2 GMS

Abu Dhabi, UAE---Davao City International Master Oliver Dimakiling on Wednesday fell short in nailing his last and final Grandmaster norm despite pulling an upset win in the closing round of the 25th Abu Dhabi Chess Festival masters section held at Dusit Thani Hotel.

The 38-year-old Dimakiling, who is seeking his final norm to become a GM, landed in the 21st spot with a remarkable 6-point output in the nine-round Swiss System format tournament.

The Dabawenyo IM, a member of the RP Chess Team, meted a requirement of defeating at least two grandmasters in the tournament.

He bested GM Lalith Babu M R of India with a higher ELO rating of 2520 in the third round and an upset super GM Andersen Mads of Denmark with 2601 rating in the final ninth round.

Dimakiling, who registered in the tournament with ELO 2401, felt goosebumps when he thought that his stunning win against Mads would pull him to the second and final requirement for the norm.

He needed to reach his performance rating to 2600, but was 55 points short.

This was marred when he faced a 2261 rated foe in the penultimate eighth round against India's Aaryan Varshney.

“I am still happy with the result despite finishing short to my last norm and my performance speaks,” said Dimakiling.

The chess-playing Filipino community here in UAE was longing to see Dimakiling as the Philippines' 15th GM0./