GM Antonio gains share of lead in National Chess Championships
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 07 Jun 2018
GRANDMASTER (GM) Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. toppled Fide Master Roel Abelgas to grab the share of lead after five rounds in the 2018 National Open Chess Championships dubbed as Road To Batumi at the Activity Hall, second floor Alphaland Ayala Place in Malugay Street, Makati City late Wednesday.
The 13-times Philippine Open champion Antonio improved his total score to 4 points, the same output of National Master Rolando Andador.
The Calapan, Oriental Mindoro native Antonio defeated Abelgas after 56 moves of Caro-kann defense using the white pieces.
The 1995 Philippine Junior champion Andador, a member of the star-studded Philippine National Police Chess Team, on the other hand, halved the point with 1996 Philippine Junior Champion Singapore-based Fide Master Roberto Suelo Jr. after 66 moves of Sicilian-Alapin.
"Magulo laban namin ni Robert (Suelo)," said Andador whose stint here is being supported by PNP Chess Club, PMA Class 92 led by PSSUPT Jonnel Estomo, PSSUPT Jose Meloncio Nartatez, PSUPT Peter Limbauan of SSU HSS and PSUPT Jonas Escarcha.
It was an intense battle between the two former Philippine Junior champion in the tournament organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) headed by chairman/president Prospero "Butch" Pichay Jr., NCFP executive director Red Dumuk and NCFP treasurer Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Alphaland Mall.
It shall be recalled that the Talisay City native Andador took the Philippine Junior title in 1995 by beating Suelo in the finals. In the following year Suelo got his Philippine junior crown in 1996.
"Medyo slight advantage si Robert (Suelo) kay Rolando (Andador) kung nakita nya yung move na king to d7," said Philippine Executive champion Atty. Cliburn Anthony Orbe in a post mortem interview.
Suelo was right behind the leaders with 3.5 points along with IM Richeliu Salcedo III, IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia, FM Mari Joseph Turqueza and FM Nelson "Elo" Mariano III.
Salcedo split the point with Garcia after 30 moves of Reti Opening, Turqueza bested NM Nick Nisperos after 54 moves of Catalan Opening while Mariano crushed NM Emmanuel Emperado after 39 moves of Sicilian defense.
Abelgas, the pride of Dasmari?as Chess Club put up by Dasmari?as City mayor Elpidio "Pidi" Barzaga Jr. and congresswoman Jenny Barzaga, remains at 3 points, the same score of another Dasmari?as ace FM elect Daniel Quizon and FM Adrian Ros Pacis.
In the distaff side, Woman Fide Master Allaney Doroy defeated former Olympian WNM Christy Lamiel Bernales after 44 moves of Catalan Opening for her 3.5 points. (Marlon Bernardino)
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