by Marlon Bernardino
GRANDMASTER Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., failed to beat Fide Master (FM) David Elorta in the first-ever Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series last Sunday, January 7, 2017 was held at the Alabang Hills Village, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
Elorta asserted his dominance over Antonio, the 13-times Philippine Open Champion, winning, 7-3, in the race-12 blitz (five minutes time control) chess affair, the Face Off is set to give Philippine chess another milestone according to tournament organizer Philippine Executive Champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, also the Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) under the leadership of it's chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
The event will be the first to be aired lived on the Internet at https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCxSTPEkAZRsFr- 1EjLSyDTw
Elorta, tagged as Philippine Blitz king, the pride of San Andres Bukid, Manila, took home the top prize worth P2,500. Antonio, on the other hand, received P1,500.
“When you're playing GM (Rogelio) Antonio , you have to bring your A-game. Otherwise, it will be very, very hard to beat him,” said Elorta, who honed his chess skills at the famous Tarrasch Knight Chess Club in Guadalupe Mall in Makati City.
“I did my best but FM (David) Elorta still emerged better,” said Antonio, who is Vice Champion of the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held in Acqui Terme, Italy last November. “I look forward to play again FM (David) Elorta in the future.” added the Quezon City resident Antonio, who hails from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.
Fide Master Narquiden "Arden" Reyes who watch the game live saw Elorta's expertised on white side playing the London System Opening and the black side playing the Caro-Kann defense.
"FM (David) Elorta playing his best against GM (Rogelio) Antonio. He played solid and accurate Especially his petline London System Opening using the white pieces," said Reyes, who worked as Sales and Customer Service Assistance at PLDT Las Pinas branch under the guidance of Mr. Martin "Binky" Gaticales, PLDT chess manager.
"The London System is a chess opening that usually arises after 1.d4 and 2.Bf4 or 2.Nf3 & 3.Bf4." said Ron Matehek, who also watch live at the venue, an Inventory Management Assistant at Makati Medical Center.
"It is a "system" opening that can be used against virtually any black defense. It comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. " added Mark Anthony Salen, top chess player of Camarines Norte.
"World Number 1 and Current World Champion GM Magnus Carlsen of Norway and GM Vladimir Kramink of Russia took a couple of games, London System Opening popularized of GM Gata Kamsky of the United States," said SM Development Corporation Sales Director Samivin V. Delos Santos.
In other matches saw, International Master Chito Garma of Manila trounced Bength Largo of Iligan City, 6.5-1.5. Earlier, Largo beat National Master (NM) Efren Bagamasbad of Quezon City, 6.5-1.5.-Marlon Bernardino.