FILIPINO newest Grandmaster (GM) Oliver Barbosa claimed the overall title of the Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah Invitational Masters held at the Swiss Garden Hotel & Residences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Barbosa wrapped up his campaign with seven points to rule the tournament sanctioned by the World Chess Federation. The former University of the Philippines standout also notched his third and final GM norm after drawing with Vietnamese GM Nguyen Anh Dung in the ninth and final round.

Another Filipino Richard Bitoon beat Uzbek GM Tahir Vakhidov in the ninth and final round to earn his final GM norm too.

Bitoon and IM Jahongir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan finished second and third with 6.5 point each.

The two players have joined the elite circle of Filipino GMs, including Eugene Torre, Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr., Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor, Nelson Mariano 2nd, Mark Paragua, Wesley So, Darwin Laylo, Jayson Gonzales, John Paul Gomez, Joseph Sanchez, Roland Salvador, Rogelio “Banjo” Barcenilla Jr., Julio Catalino Sadorra and the late Rosendo Balinas Jr.

In the Swiss-System competition, International Master Nguyen Doc Hoa of Vietnam split the point with Philippines newest International Master Edgar Reggie Olay to score 7.5 points and en route to the coveted title.