GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. pocketed the top honors in the Open Kitchen rapid chess tournament held at the Open Kitchen food hall 34-36 P. Tuazon Bouelavard, Barangay Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City on Monday.
The 13-times Philippine Open champion Antonio collected five points on five wins and two draws to win the seven-round tournament which attracted 68 players in the event.
Actually, Antonio, tied for first-third places with Jerry Areque and Fide Master Nelson “Elo” Mariano III in the 15 minutes rapid time control event supervised by National Arbiters Avelino Carredo, Byron Villar and Israel “Ice” Landicho and assisted by CAUP1 Robin Asejo and CAUP1 Rogelio Baccay.
With the highest tiebreak points, Antonio took the title, Areque finished second while Mariano placed 3rd overall.
Rounding up the top 11 were Mr. Jose Aquino Jr. (4th); IM (International Master) Chris Ramayrat (5th); IM Ricardo de Guzman (6th); Don Tyrone Delos Santos (7th); Mark Christian Rodrigo (8th); Sherwin Tiu (9th); Genghis Imperial (10th) and Marlon Constantino (11th).
Earlier, Ms. China Aurelio, from the Open Kitchen and the youngest Woman Fide Master Antonelle Berthe “Tonelle” Racasa; Barangay Kaunlaran Chairman Christopher “Dong” Cheng and Engineer Antonio “Tony” Carreon Balinas; Robbie Pangilinan of Sports Manila net and Kagawad Meng “Maersk” Ronquillo; Mar Aviel Carredo and Ms. Emz Forrosuelo of Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc. (Pocari Sweat); GM Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. and Bounjoure Fille Suyamin, made the ceremonial moves to highlight the start of the Open Kitchen tournament. — Marlon Bernardino
