GM Antonio outlasts Canadian foe in World Seniors

FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. (elo 2427) outlasted Canadian David Filipovich (elo 2050) in 39 moves of Caro-Kann defense using the white pieces in the second round of the FIDE World Seniors 2019 Chess Championships Wednesday held at the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest, Romania.

The win enabled the 57 years old Calapan City, Oriental native Antonio to raise his score to 1.5 points in two outings in the 50-and-above category.

The Quezon City-based Antonio now shares 22nd to 45th placers that includes compatriot International Master (IM) Angelo Young (elo 2288), who was held to a draw by the Romanian Gabriel Dobrescu (elo 1888) in 41 moves of Old Indian defense.

“It’s still a long way to go,” said eighteenth-seed Antonio, who placed second in the 2017 edition of the event held in Acqui Terme, Italy.

Antonio’s trip is sponsored by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr., the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chair and CEO Andrea Domingo, Prage Ma-nagement Corp., Xavier School and Mr. Roger Py of Gibi Shoes.

“GM (Rogelio) Joey (Antonio) beat Canadian David Filipovich in Round 2. Praise God for this victory,” said Abraham “Abe” Tecson, a close confidant of Antonio, an alumni batch 73 of Xavier School in San Juan City.

In the 65-and-over section, Fide Master (FM) Cesar Caturla (elo 2276) defeated Italian Fide Master (FM) Giuseppe Valenti (elo 1982) in 49 moves of an English Opening.

Caturla, a member of the Philippine team to the 1976 Haifa (Israel) Chess Olympiad tallied 1.5 points.

In Round 3, Antonio will meet Fide Master (FM) Dale R. Haessel (elo 2128) of Canada, Young will slug it out with International Master (IM) Chan Peng Kong (elo 2123) of Singapore while Caturla goes up against Roland Mayer (elo 2078) of Germany. — Marlon Bernardino