by Marlon Bernardino
The Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio collected seven points on six wins and three draws to win the nine-round tournament online chess championships.
Antonio scored victories over Fide Master (FM) John Duneas of New Zealand in the first round, Candidate Master (CM) Mohammed Ali Mahdial-Kinani of Iraq in the second round, GM Tair Vahidov of Uzbekistan in the third round, Fide Master Abbas Khakpoor of Iran in the fifth round, Bahadur Chhetri Ram of Nepal in the sixth round and Nassir Wajih of India in the ninth and final round.
He split the point with compatriot International Master (IM) Ricardo De Guzman in the fourth round, Grandmaster (GM) Alexei Barsov of Uzbekistan in the seven round and Grandmaster (GM) Saidali Iuldachev of Uzbekistan in the eight and penultimate round.
"Ito pong tagumpay po natin sa Asian Seniors ay alay ko po sa aking pamilya, at sa mga kababayan natin, sa mga kapwa ko po chess player at lalung lalu na po sa mga front-liner na po natin na isinasakripisyo ang kanilang buhay para sa bayan," said the 13-time Philippine champion Antonio, who placed runner-up to eventual champion Peruvian GM Julio Granda Zuniga in the World Seniors Championship three years ago in Acqui Terme, Italy.
Meanwhile, De Guzman placed fourth overall with 5.5 points, the same output of fifth placer Chhetri Ram and sixth placer GM Iuldachev.
GM Vahidov took second place with 6.5 points followed by third placer GM Barsov who totes 6 points.
Another Filipino entry National Master (NM) Rudy Ibanez (4 points) placed tenth overall.-Marlon Bernardino-
Final Standings:
7.5 points---GM Rogelio "Joey" Antonio (Philippines)
6.5 points---GM Tair Vahidov (Uzbekistan)
6 points---GM Alexei Barsov (Uzbekistan)
5.5 points---IM Ricardo de Guzman (Philippines), Bahadur Chhetri Ram (Nepal), GM Saidali Iuldachev (Uzbekistan)
5 points---FM Abbas Khakpoor (Iran), FM John Duneas (New Zealand), Nassir Wajih (India), NM Rudy Ibanez (PHilippines)
Manila---Filipino Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. pocketed the top honors in the Asian Seniors +50 Championship 2020 (Final) at chess.com on Tuesday.