Antonio split the point, but 2 Pinoys falter in World Seniors Chess Championships

Antonio split the point, but 2 Pinoys falter in World Seniors Chess Championships

Antonio split the point, but 2 Pinoys falter in World Seniors Chess Championships

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  • Chess

by Marlon Bernardino


Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (elo 2427) continued his strong play in the seventh round of the FIDE World Seniors 2019 Chess Championships, halving the point with American Grandmaster (GM) Alex Yermolinsky (elo 2498) on Tuesday at the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest, Romania.
The 57 years old Antonio, the pride of Oriental Mindoro governor Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor now has 5.0 points through seven rounds tied with 18 other players in the 11 round Swiss system tournament in the 50-and-above category.


Antonio's trip is sponsored by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president rep. Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chair and CEO Andrea Domingo, Prage Ma­nagement Corporation, Xavier School, Mr.Roger Py of Gibi Shoes, engineer Antonio "Tony" Carreon Balinas, San Juan City Chief of Police Col. Jaime Osit Santos and Woman International Master (WIM) Cristine Mariano-Wågman.
But Filipino International Master (IM) Angelo Young (elo 2288) and Fide Master (FM) Cesar Caturla (elo 2276) failed to sustain their momentum, with Young losing to Romanian Grandmaster (GM) Vladislav Nevednichy (elo 2518) in 64 moves of Catalan Opening game, while Caturla bowed to Czech Grandmaster (GM) Vlastimil Jansa (elo 2436) in 24 moves of Sicilian defense, Alapin variation.
Young remains at 5.5 points in the 50-and-above category, the same output of Romanian Grandmaster (GM) Mihail Marin (elo 2521) and Georgian Grandmaster (GM) Giorgi Bagaturov (elo 2423) while Caturla was stuck at 4.5 points in the 65-and-over section.
Nevednichy,meantime grabs the lead in the 50-and-above category who tote 6.5 points while Italian Grandmaster Carlos Garcia Palermo (elo 2412) is leading the race in the 65-and-over section with 6.5 points.
In round 8, Antonio will face tournament top seed Macedonian Grandmaster (GM) Kiril Georgiev (elo 2582), Young goes up against Marin while Caturla opposite Spanish Fide Master (FM) Tomas Serra Olives (elo 2147 ).