Filipino International Masters Oliver Dimakiling and Haridas Pascua finished in a tie for first place in the 22nd Grand Asian Chess Challenge (GACC) Open Rapid Chess Championship 2018 held last Saturday at the Dewan Tunku Counselor of the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Davao City-pride Dimakiling defeated Capel Evan Timothy in the final round to finish with a perfect 6.0 points.
Pascua, who hails from Mangatarem, Pangasinan, also finished with the same output after winner over IM Emmanuel Senador of Iloilo in the final round.
On his way to the title, Dimakiling beat Hirwanizam Wan Adam Qaisar of Malaysia in the first round, WCM Ding Dao En of Malaysia in the second round, Chen Yi Jing Alvin of Singapore in the third round, FM Ismail Ahmad of Malaysia in the fourth round, compatriot National Master Stewart Manaog in the fifth and Timothy in the sixth round.
Pascua, on the other hand, defeated Iffatu Masrura Al Hakimi of Malaysia in Round 1, Abdul Rashid Hasidin of Malaysia in Round 2, Mohd Rashid Muhd Darwisy Eirf of Malaysia in Round 3, Azhar Muhd Syakir Shazmeer of Malaysia in Round 4, Fide Master Ismail Ahmad of Malaysia in Round 5 and IM Senador in Round 6.
Manaog tallied 5.0 points and finished sixth place while Senador wound up with 4.5 points for overall 11th place.