Oliver Dimakiling triumphs in Dubai Chess Open

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino International Master Oliver Dimakiling downed Indian Gaurav Kumar to stay a half point off the pace after two rounds of the 21st Dubai Open 2019 at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club in United Arab Emirates Tuesday night.

The 38-year-old Dimakiling, who was slowed down by a draw with another Indian Jomon Jinan in the opening round a day earlier, hiked his total to 1.5 points and joined a 24-player logjam at 29th spot, which included top seed GM Le Quang Liem of Vietnam, who split the point with Norwegian IM Johannes Haug.

In Sri Lanka, Antonella Racasa will be the Phl’s lone representative in the Asian Youth Championships girls’ Under-12 division, unfolding today with the standard event.

Meanwhile, slots in the Philippine team seeing action in the ASEAN Age Group Championship in Myanmar this June will be staked when the Gov. Amor Deloso National Age Chess Championship unfurls today in Iba, Zambales.

The top three in each division boys and girls U20, U18, U16 U14, U12, U10 and U8 will qualify for an all-expense-paid trip to Myanmar.