Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. shows why he is still man to beat

Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. shows why he is still man to beat

At age 56, Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. showed he is still among the country's best by beating fellow Grandmaster Darwin Laylo.

The 13-time Philippine Open champion toppled the 38-year old Laylo, 6.5-2.5, as two of the country's top chess grandmasters collided in the Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series dubbed as "The Fight for the Ages" last Sunday, April 15, 2018 and aired live over You Tube channel of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

Antonio won Game 6 to take the upper hand, 3.5-2.5, before the second half of the match. After the break, Antonio never looked back, winning five straight wins for a 6.5-2.5 demolition against the back-to-back Philippine Open champion Laylo in the event backed by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) Chairman and President Rep. Prospero “Butch” Arreza Pichay Jr.and organized by tournament director Philippine Executive Champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe.

"I thank the NCFP for giving me the opportunity to show the world that, even at 56, i can still play good, strong chess" said Antonio, the Vice Champion of the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open, men and women) held in Acqui Terme, Italy last November.