After conquering Asia, GM Joey Antonio is now set to conquer the world
by Marlon Bernardino
Filipino Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. is now set to conquer the world after winning the senior division of the IGB Dato’ Tan Chin Nam International Chess Open at the Cititel Mid Valley in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Sunday.
The 13-times Philippine Open champion Antonio ruled via tiebreak against countryman Grandmaster Jayson Gonzales. Antonio and Gonzales, both tallied 7 points apiece in nine outings.
International Master Tiro of Indonesia came solo third with 6.5 points followed by huge group of 6.0 pointers that includes Fide Master Maksum Firdaus of Indonesia (4th), National Master Carlo Lorena of the Philippines (5th), Grandmaster Alexander Fominyh of Russia (6th) and International Master Mikhail Vasilyev of Ukraine (7th).
Prior to Malaysia chess campaign, the Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio also topped the Open Kitchen rapid chess tournament held at the Open Kitchen food hall 34-36 P.Tuazon Bouelavard, Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City last August 5
The Quezon City based Antonio, 57, is schedule to represent the country in the FIDE (World Chess Federation) World Seniors Chess Championship to be held on November 11 to 24 in Bucharest, Romania.
It shall be recalled that Antonio toppled International Master Spartaco Sarno of Italy in 51 moves of a Caro-Kann Defense to finish second in the 50-and-above division of the 27th World Seniors Chess Championship in Acqui Terme, Italy in the 2017 edition.
Antonio will seeing action this weekend when the 2nd Torrevillas Knights Cup Open Rapid and Kiddies chess tournament gets underway on August 21 at the Samar College in Catbalogan City, Samar.
The one-day tournament is being held in celebration of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew 2019, backed up by Torrevillas Knights in cooperation with the Catbalogan City Chess Club and the Hermano Mayor of the Feast of Saint Bartholomew 2019.
After Catbalogan chessfest, Antonio will defend his title in the 2019 Lifecore Enterprises Open Chess Championships set at the Bulwagang Panlalawgian, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on September 15 in the event backed up by Nicolas Ramil Castro of Lifecore Enterprises Inc. and organized by United Chess Players of Calapan Inc. president Emmanuel "Noel" Bandelaria Asi.-Marlon Bernardino-