WHISKED away from active play after a five-month suspension for alleged game-fixing, International Master Darwin Laylo’s blooming chess career looked headed to the doldrums.
But the 2004 National Open champion hardly sank in career dormancy, underscoring his return with an impressive finish at the Sixth Asian Individual Chess Championship last September 27 to become the Philippines’ seventh Grandmaster (GM).
“It was good karma,” Laylo said in an interview with the Varsitarian. “Winning the championship was a chance to prove myself against my accusers and represent the country at the same time.”
Up against Chinese GM Zhao Jun in his final match to get the title, Laylo offered Jun a truce after four moves, which the latter declined. However, after an impressive play by Laylo, Jun agreed to split the point, giving Laylo the second draw he needed to amass six points (5 wins, 2 loses, 2 draws with .5 each) after nine rounds and finally obtain his third GM norm. Laylo had received his first two GM results at the Malaysian and Bad Wiesse Open last August and October, respectively.
A contender for the prestigious GM title must reach an ELO rating of 2,500 (named after chess champion Arpad Elo) and must beat other grandmasters in tournaments twice.
Laylo, a business management graduate from San Sebastian College, is the latest addition to the roster of GMs that include Eugene Torre, Bong Villamayor, Mark Paragua, Nelson Mariano, Rogelio Antonio and the late Rosendo Balinas Jr.
In February, Laylo was suspended by the National Chess Federation following game-fixing charges at the Tanauan Open. He eventually used this five-month lay-off to coach the UST girl’s high school team.
