MANILA---The 13-time Philippine Open Champion Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Madrigal Antonio Jr. will be the player to watch when the GMG Chess Open Rapid Tournament gets underway on Dec. 31 and the Sir Herky Del Mundo Memorial Open Rapid Chess Tournament is slated on Jan. 3, 2023, both will be held at the 2nd floor Open Kitchen Foodhall, Rockwell Business Center, Sheridan Street, Mandaluyong City.

Expected to give Antonio a run for his money in this P52,000 total pot prizes event are Grandmaster Darwin Laylo, International Master Angelo Young, International Master Ronald Dableo, International Master Barlo Nadera, International Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad, Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, Fide Master David Elorta, Fide Master Jeth Romy Morado, Fide Master Edgardo Garma and Fide Master Robert Suelo Jr. among others.  

The 60-year-old Antonio, a resident of Quezon City secured the ninth place honors in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship 2022 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy last Nov. 26.

The former University of Manila standout Antonio collected 7.5 points on six wins, three draws and two losses and settled for the ninth place purse of €700 euro.
“I’m hoping for the best but the field is really tough because all participants have a chance to win it also,” said the Most Outstanding Quezon City Athlete Antonio.
Antonio is on a rigid training backed up by Hotel Sogo for the much awaited 2023 Bob Wade Masters and Challengers to be held on January 13 to 21, 2023 at the Howick Community Church Complex in Auckland, New Zealand.

Aside from Antonio, Woman National Master Antonella Berthe Murillo Racasa and National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. will also compete in the New Zealand chess tournament.

They have been invited by New Zealand Chess Federation Inc. vice president and organizer Paul Spiller to play in the international chessfest alongside Delegation Head/Fide National Arbiter Roberto Manggaran Racasa.