Hot Antonio keeps share of lead; Bagamasbad upsets Danish GM
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Nov 2022
MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr. (Elo 2397) retained his share of the lead in the Open 50+ even as International Master elect and Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad (Elo 2051) remained on top in Open 65+ after the second round in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship being held at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy Wednesday night.
Playing Black, the 13-time Philippine Open champion Antonio defeated with Slovakia's Fide Master Milan Kolesar (Elo 2136) in 80 moves of a Reti Opening game to raise his total 2 points.
"Last man standing kami. Huling natapos," Antonio said referring his 2nd game.
Joining Antonio in the crowded leaderboard are GM Zurab Sturua of Georgia, GM Ivan Morovic Fernandez of Chile, GM Frank Holzke and GM Klaus Bischoff of Germany, GM Milos Pavlovic of Serbia, GM Darcy Lima of Brazil, GM Maxim Novik of Lithuania, GM Eric Prie of France and 15 others.
Antonio, whose trip is being bankrolled by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Sen. Bong Go, Col. Jaime Osit Santos and Bayanihan Chess Club Co-Founding Chairman Dr. Joe Balinas, will slug it out Iraq's International Master Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali (Elo 2231) in the third round Thursday night.
Al-Ali toppled Fide Master Dale R. Haessel (Elo 2066) of Canada in the second round.
International Master Angelo Abundo Young (Elo 2309) bounced back after an opening sorry loss by beating Spain's Marco Di Paolo (Elo 1833) in 25 moves of Pribyl defense using the black pieces.
"Sayang first game ko pero sabi ko sa sarili ko bawi na lang at nanalo naman sa 2nd round," said Young, an eight-time Illinois USA champion.
Young will meet Italian Fide Master Giuseppe Fabiano (Elo 2055), who brought down Hans Steyn (Elo 1824) of Republic of South Africa.
Upsets marred the second round in the 65 over category as 66th seed Bagamasbad (Elo 2051) shocked 8th seed Grandmaster Jens Kristiansen (Elo 2353) of Denmark.
Bagamasbad, whose trip is being bankrolled by the UST Engineering Alumni Association, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and Wilcon Depo Founder/Chairman Emeritus Mr. William Belo, prevailed after 26 moves of Hybrid Queens Indian Dutch using the black pieces.
"I usually focus on one game at a time," said Bagamasbad, who is fresh from winning the Asian Seniors Chess Championship in the Over 65 category division last Oct. 14-22 in Auckland, New Zealand.
With his feat, Bagamasbad got an outright International Master and a Grandmaster norms.
Bagamasbad will test the mettle with Grandmaster Nona Gaprindashvili (Elo 2268) of Georgia.
Gaprindashvili bested Brian W R Hewson (Elo 2028) of England.
Gaprindashvili is a former Soviet and Georgian chess player, and the first woman ever to be awarded the FIDE title Grandmaster in 1978. She was the fifth women's world chess champion (1962–1978).
The 60 year old Antonio, the top player of PCAP's Iloilo Kisela Knights which is owned by sportsman Mr. Leo Sotaridona will try to surpass his runner-up finish in the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+) held in Acqui Terme, Italy in 2017.
The 59 year old Young, senior player of PCAP's Laguna Heroes which is owned by Dr. Fred Paez is looking to get a GM norms here after settling over-all 8th all finish during the 2019 edition in Bucharest, Romania.
The 66-year-old Bagamasbad, another senior player of Laguna Heroes who is also eyeing to get his second GM norms here.
The triumvirate would like to thank NCFP Chairman/President Rep. Prospero "Butch" Arreza Pichay Jr. and NCFP CEO GM Jayson O. Gonzales for supporting their Europe chess campaign as well to POC President Mayor Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino Jr. for helping to secure their schengen visa on time.
Sportswriter/Radio commentator National Master Almario Marlon Quiroz Bernardino Jr. and Roberto M. Racasa serve as the triumvirate coaches, trainers and second.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
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