Italy chess tourney: Antonio bounces back into contention
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 24 Nov 2022
MANILA---Grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr bounced back in contention after a setback in the sixth and seventh round by defeating International Master Markus Loeffler of Germany in the 30th FIDE World Senior Individual Chess Championship (50+ and 65+ Open-men and women) held at the Hotel Cenacolo in Assisi, Umbria, Italy on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The 60-year-old Antonio prevailed after 22 moves Sicilian Defense, Rossolimo Attack variation using the advantageous white pieces in the eight round.
Antonio, who beat Grandmaster Eric Prie of France in the fifth round before losing to Grandmaster Darcy Lima of Brazil in the sixth round and top seed Grandmaster Zurab Sturua of Georgia in the seventh round, came back strong to chalk up his fifth win on account of 5 points, 1 draw and 2 loses in eight matches and share tenth to 23rd places in the 50+ category.
The thirteen-seeded Filipino champion swept his first three assignments over Igor Tsyn of Israel, Fide Master Milan Kolesar of Slovakia and International Master Hussein Ali Hussein Al-Ali of Iraq before halving the point with Grandmaster Ivan Morovic Fernandez of Chile in the fourth round.
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 Corp. , Sen. Bong Go, Col. Jaime Osit Santos and Bayanihan Chess Club Co-Founding Chairman Dr. Joe Balinas, will slug it out countryman International Master Angelo Abundo Young in the ninth round Thursday night.
The 59-year-old Young, an an eight-time Illinois USA champion, subdued Fide Master Nicola Paglietti of Italy.
Meanwhile, GM Fernandez racked up his third straight wins this time to GM Lima after 48 moves of Sicilian Dragon, Maróczy Bind variation to grab the solo lead with 7.0 points, half a point ahead with GM Sturua and IM Fabrizio Bellia of Italy who totes 6.5 points apiece.
International Master elect and Fide Master Jose Efren Bagamasbad dismantled Julio Santos of Portugal to meet FM Malkiel Peretz of Israel in the next round.
The 66-year-old Bagamasbad raised his total 5.0 points in the 65 years old and above category.
GM Jens Kristiansen of Denmark upset top pick GM Dr. John Nunn of England to climb at the top spot with 7.0 points in eight outings.
Kristiansen only loss at the hands of Bagamasbad in the second round.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Nagoya Nightmare: Naoya Inoue Notches One-Sided Decision over Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Inoue’s Philippine Connection: Which Pinoy Super Bantamweight Could Challenge “The Monster?”
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 15 Sep 2025Yoseline Perez Advances to the Finals at the World Boxing Championships Perez Set to Face Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao-Wen Huang for 54-Kilogram World Title
Mon, 15 Sep 2025Canelo Gets Outboxed, Loses Undisputed Title to Crawford
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025A Masterpiece of Boxing: Terence Crawford Dethrones Canelo Alvarez in Historic Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025LEWIS CROCKER IS CROWNED THE NEW IBF WORLD WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Battle of Undefeated: Callum Walsh Vanquishes Fernando Vargas Jr.
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Undercard Inferno: Mbilli and Martinez Deliver a Super Middleweight War Ending in a Thrilling Draw
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Crawford to defy odds?
By Joaquin Henson, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Clash of Titans: The Final Predictions for Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev
Sun, 14 Sep 2025Inoue and Akhmadaliev Make Weight for Sunday's Battle, Watch it LIVE on Facebook!
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 14 Sep 2025IIEE North Cotabato and Metro Central are the Golden Champion on 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Sep 2025Sydney Sy Tancontian is Female Awardee of Sports Hero of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Sep 2025Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford: Size Matters
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 13 Sep 2025