Antonio finishes second in Italy World Senior Chess, Torre ties for 2nd
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 19 Nov 2017
Final Standings/Rankings after tie break was applied: (11 Round Swiss-system)
(50+ Open category)
9.5 points---GM Julio Granda Zuniga (Peru)
8.5 points---GM Rogelio Antonio Jr. (Philippines), GM Eric Prie (France)
7.5 points---GM Zurab Sturua (Georgia), GM Giorgi Bagaturov (Georgia), IM Evgenij Kalegin (Russia), GM Klaus Bischoff (Germany), IM Alexander Reprintsev (Ukraine), IM Gerard Welling (Netherlands), IM Stephen R. Mannion (Scotland)
(65 + Open category)
8.5 points---GM Evgeny Sveshnikov (Russia)
8.0 points---GM Anatoly Vaisser (France),GM Vlastimil Jansa (Czech Republic),GM Vladimir Okhotnik (France), GM Lothar Vogt (Germany), GM Yuri S Balashov (Russia), GM Eugene Torre (Philippines), IM Alexander V Lisenko (Russia), IM Jan Rooze (Belgium), GM Evgeni Vasiukov (Russia)
FILIPINO Grandmaster (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. secured runner-up honors in the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) in Acqui Terme, Italy on Sunday.
The undefeated Antonio collected 8.5 points on six wins and five draws, to tie GM Eric Prie of France in the No. 2 spot. The 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio, however, grabbed the silver by virtue of superior tiebreak points, leaving Prie in the third place. Top seed GM Julio Granda Zuniga of Peru bagged the crown after earning 9.5 points on eight wins and three draws in the 50 and over division.
Handling the advantageous white pieces, the 55-years-old Calapan, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio played superb throughout the game en route a 51-move wins against Italian International Master Spartaco Sarno of Caro-kann-French defense transposition skirmish.
Zuniga, on his part, made a quick draw against GM Giorgi Bagaturov of Georgia after 10 moves of Queens Gambit Declined while Prie halved the point with IM Evgenij Kalegin of Russia after 6 moves of Center Counter game.
According to Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, who watched the game live through chessbomb.com, in the end, Antonio had two connected pawns in f and g-file against Sarno's rook and a pawn in the a-file.
"He made good on his promise to fight with all his might in the last round to make the country proud," said Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr.
Earlier, Antonio defeated Andres Belmont Hernandez of Mexico in the first round and Karl-Heinz Kannenberg of Germany in the second round and agreed to a draw with IM Devaki V Prasad of India in the third round then beat IM Alexander Reprintsev of Ukraine in the fourth round and FM Pavel Certek of Slovakia in tth fifth round. A back-to-back draws against Zuniga in the sixth round and Prie in the seventh round before crushing FM Krishan Jhunjhnuwala of the USA in the eight round. He split the point with GM Zurab Sturua and GM Giorgi Bagaturov of Georgia in the ninth and tenth round, respectively, before beating Sarno in the last round.
"Iba talaga pag Pilipinas ang winawagayway mo sa ibang bansa lalo na 60 bansa ang kasali ilaan mo ang lahat pati na ang buhay para sa ikakatagumpay at talagang ipaglalaban mo," said the Quezon City ace Antonio.
"Sana ang panalo ko (Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr.,) ay magbubukas ng pinto para sumigla muli ang chess,' added, the former top player of University of Manila.
Torre tied for 2nd
Asia's First GM Eugene Torre forced a fighting draw against last year's champion and tournament favorite GM Anatoly Vaisser of France after 57 moves of Owens defense to raised his total 8.0 points and finished in a tie for second to 10th places.
After the tie break points was applied, Torre settled overall 7th place. If Torre prevails his last round assignment he can possibly secure the coveted chess title in the 65 and over division.
Rounding up to the top 10th place are Vaisser (2nd place), GM Vlastimil Jansa of Czech Republic (3rd place),GM Vladimir Okhotnik of France (4th place), GM Lothar Vogt of Germany (5th place), GM Yuri S Balashov of Russia (6th place), IM Alexander V Lisenko of Russia (8th place), IM Jan Rooze of Belgium (9th place) and GM Evgeni Vasiukov of Russia (10th place).
GM Evgeny Sveshnikov of Russia toppled IM Arkady Shevelev of Israel after 40 moves of Caro-kann defense to captured the 65 and over division crown with 8.5 points.
" (GM Eugene) Torre showed typical Filipino resiliency after suffering to losses early to bounce back to shared second". said Philippine executive chess champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe.
The Filipinos campaign in Italy chess would not be possible for the undying support of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines headed by its chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., executive director Red Dumuk and director Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe, the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and commissioner Charles Maxey, PNP Police Superintendent Jaime "Jim" Osit Santos, Mindoro governor Alfonso Umali , Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Antonio and Torre are schedule to arrive in Manila on November 20, 2017 at 10 pm via Emirates Airlines at the Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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