GRANDMASTER Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. downed Fide Master David Elorta,4-3, to win their match-up in the Rapid Chess Face Off on Saturday at the third floor League One Southgate Mall (formerly Alphaland Southgate Mall), near MRT Magallanes Station, Edsa, Makati City.
Actually the 13-times national open champion Antonio took a 3.5-0.5 commanding lead before Elorta rally and close the gap at 3-5-2.5. Antonio held Elorta into a fighting draw to win the match at 4-3 count.
It shall be recalled that Antonio toppled Italian International Master Spartaco Sarno in the 11th and final round after 51 moves of Caro-kann-French defense transposition skirmish to brought home the runner-up honors in the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) in Acqui Terme, Italy two years ago.-Marlon Bernardino-