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:
Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 26 Jul 2026Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
Sun, 26 Jul 2026Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday
Sun, 26 Jul 2026'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 25 Jul 2026SYDNEY WEIGH-IN REPORT: Spence and Tszyu On Weight; Co-Main Event Cancelled After Fulton Blows Weight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Fury Halts Wach in Thailand, Leaving Ball in Joshua’s Court for Mega-Fight
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Great First Half of the Year for the WBC
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 25 Jul 2026CK Ingles to Host Open 2x2 Team and Open Individual Rapid Chess Tournaments with ₱100,000 Prize Pool
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Magnificent 7 boxers gird for Asiad
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 25 Jul 2026Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback'
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Fri, 24 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 24 Jul 2026