Philippines’ Antonio, Villanueva finish 1-2
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 20 Sep 2022
MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. of Quezon City and Fide Master Nelson Villanueva of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental made the country proud anew after a strong 1-2 finish in the MRSM Tun Mustapha Chess Championship 2022 (Open) that was held at the MRSM Tun Mustapha Tawau in Sabah, Malaysia last Sunday.
Antonio defeated Singaporean International Master Chan Peng Kong in the ninth and final round to finish with 7.5 points on six victories and three draws in the nine-round Swiss System event, the same output of Villanueva, who drew with Indonesian Kamalsyah Muhammad.
Antonio ranked number one in the tournament, clinched the title, the top purse of 3,500 RM (Malaysian ringgit), trophy plus certificate by virtue of higher tie break points while Villanueva pocketed the runner-up purse of 2,500 RM (Malaysian ringgit) trophy plus certificate in the contest which lured 92 woodpushers.
On his way to the title, GM Antonio beat Yaakub Nov Genevia Pslam of Malaysia in the first round, Ladimal of Malaysia in the second round, Ahmad Md Siraj Munir of Brunei in the third round round and Wising Abdul Sahim Malaysia in the fourth round and Fide Master Yee Soon Wei of Brunei in the fifth round.
He split the point with FM Villanueva in the sixth round, International Master IM Andyka Pitra of Indonesia in the seventh round and Kamalsyah Muhammad of Indonesia in the eight round before beating IM Chan in the last round.
GM Antonio's next tournament will be the Rapid Chess Championships hosted by Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Officer-In-Charge Director General Teroso "Theo" O. Panga in partnership with JC Premiere Marikina Business Center to be held on September 30 at the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Main Office Double Dragon Center, West Building, DD Meridian Park, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Pasay City.
With the victory, Antonio and Villanueva's performance boosted the nation's morale, said National Chess Federation of the Philippines Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr.
“Once again our flag has been raised in this foreign land after knowing that our Filipino kababayan Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. of Quezon City and Fide Master Nelson Villanueva of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental made the country proud anew after a strong 1-2 finish in Sabah, Malaysia International Chess Tournament," he said.-Marlon Bernardino-
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