ANTONIO BEATS ELORTA IN PHILIPPINE CHESS BLITZ FACE OFF SERIES
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jan 2018
GRANDMASTER Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. downed Fide Master David Elorta, 7-5, to win their match-up in the first-ever Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series on Saturday, January 20, 2018, dubbed as "Grudge Match" at the Alabang Hills Village, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
The match was very close and lasted the full 12 games before the match winner was decided according to tournament organizer Philippine Executive Chess Association (PECA) founding president Atty. Cliburn Anthony A. Orbe.
"The 55-year old GM Joey Antonio, fighting a 35-year old opponent generally regarded as the Blitz King of Philippine Chess, showed why he is the Living Legend by beating FM David Elorta at his own game," added Atty. Orbe, also the Vice President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).
"Unlike the first match where Elorta would lead at the clock by 3 to 4 minutes, this time around it was Antonio who proved to be the faster thinker, often having more time than Elorta who couldn't outplay Antonio without a time advantage," he said.
"However, in the second half of the match, Elorta showed that he has the heart of a champion by leveling the match score after being down 4-2 after six games. GM Joey Antonio likewise rose to the occasion and refused to wilt under the pressure exerted by Elorta. Antonio won games 9 and 10 to go up 2 games and needed only a draw in the last two games to win the match. Elorta, however, showed his never-say-die attitude by winning game 11, keeping his hopes alive to send the match to tiebreak if he wins game 12. Antonio would have none of it; in game 12 he dictated the tempo and won material to clinch the game and the match," last word of Atty. Orbe.
It was a sweet victory of the 55-year old GM Antonio, the 13-times Philippine Open Champion who suffered a heart-breaking loses to 35-year-old FM Elorta during their first encounter, 7-3, last last January 7, 2018, in the five minutes, five seconds delay format whoever first player to reach 6.5 points will win the match.
"It was a great feeling, beating FM David Elorta in the first-ever Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series," Antonio said.
The Quezon City resident Antonio said he felt had a hard time beating Elorta. "Especially since I am 55-years-old, and they say that playing blitz is only for the young," he said.
"It's a big privileged and honor to play Grandmaster Joey (Antonio)," said the San Andres, Bukid Manila Elorta, who honed his chess skills at the famous Tarrasch Knight Chess Club in Guadalupe Mall in Makati City, winner over fellow Fide Master (FM) Narquingden "Arden" Reyes of Rodriguez, Rizal, 7-6, last January 14, 2018, dubbed as "Duel of The Speed Kings".
In other results, Grandmaster Dawin Laylo defeated Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, 6.5-4.5.
In added attraction during the half time break, eight-year-old Philippine chess wunderkind Al Basher "Basty" Buto of Cainta, Rizal, a Maranaw kid who hails from Marawi City played with Mark Jay Bacojo of Dasmarinas, Cavite in a battle of age grouper while Makati Medical Center top gunner Ron Matehek Hermida, the ever popular commentator of the matches played with UE women's varsity player Virginie Ruaya of Taytay, Rizal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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