IM Dableo snatches final GM norm

IM Ronald Dableo saved the best for last, pulled the trigger with all might, and crashed the fancied Indonesian GM Susanto Megaranto in the final round of DATMO 2009 to pile up 7.0 points to tie for first to second spot with eventual champion GM Negi Parimarjan of India. However, Dableo settled for 2nd overall due to lower tie break points.

With the win over Megaranto, Dableo snatched his third and final GM norm but still has to improve his Elo rating to 2500 to be awarded the elusive GM title. Entering the DATMO 2009 event, Dableo paraded an Elo rating of 2417.

Compatriot Senador Emmanuel, who was leading the pack going into the final round, blinked against GM Parimarjan and settled for 4th overall. It wasn't sorry for Senador, though, as he earned a GM norm in the event.

Not far is GM Darwin Laylo who had the same output as Senador with 6.5 points to settle at No.6.

See? Having three Filipinos in Top 6 finishers tells a lot about the power of Philippine chess.

Top 15

1. GM Negi Parimarjan (IND) (2590) - 7.0
2. IM Dableo Ronald (PHI) (2417) - 7.0
3. GM Ghaem Maghami, Ehsan (IRI) (2589) - 6.5
4. Senador Emmanuel (PHI) (2372) - 6.5
5. GM Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son (VIE) (2592) - 6.5
6. GM Laylo Darwin (PHI) (2494) - 6.5
7. GM Schebler, Gerhard (GER) (2486) - 6.5
8. Yu Yangyi (CHN) (2510) - 6.5
9. GM Iuldachev Saidali (UZB) (2518) - 6.5
10. Xiu Deshun (CHN) (2515) - 6.5
11. GM Li Chao b (CHN) (2634) - 6.5
12 GM Megaranto Susanto (INA) (2534) - 6
13. GM Nguyen Anh Dung (VIE) (2474) - 6
14. FM Mok Tze-Meng (MAS) (2343) - 6
15. Yu Lie (CHN) (2340) - 6